What are Friends For? A Longer Life
Thursday, June 4th, 2009 [ Posted by Dr Lindsay McMillan ]
I found this and thought it is an opportunity to reflect on how significant friends are, particularly as an outcome of the the Global Financial Crisis. It is worth a read…
In the quest for better health, may people turn to doctors, self-help books or herbal supplements. But they overlook a powerful weapon that could hep them fight illness and depression, speed recover, slow aging and prolong life: their friends.
Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship and social networks in overall health. A 10 year Australian study found that older people with a large circle of freinds were 22 percent less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends. A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the risk for obesity among people whose friends gained weight. And last year, Harvard researchers reported that strong social ties could promote brain health as we age…
To read full article, click here http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/21/health/21well.html?_r=1