Friends—The Key To A Longer Life

According to Harvard’s School of Public Health, men who have lots of friends, social contacts, and relatives live longer, more satisfying lives. In a study of 28,000 men in their early 40s to late 70s, researchers found that men who were socially isolated loners were 20 percent more likely to die prematurely. The socially isolated group also was 53 percent more likely to die from heart related diseases and stroke. Unmarried men included in the study had markedly higher death rates than married men with a strong family support system did. It appears that making friends and nurturing social relationships not only will make you healthier, but it could make you a lot happier too! Although it is hard to measure social isolation and loneliness ask yourself if you have fewer activities now than you did before the pandemic. Most people would answer fewer connections and fewer social gatherings are on their schedules. People are generally social by nature, and high-quality relationships should be part of our everyday lives. Finding a fun activity can be the key to adding friends to your life! Pick an activity like going to the gym, find a workshop or a class, volunteer for a non-profit, try a new sport like racquetball, find a church or spiritual group. You are certainly not alone if you are having a hard time making friends as an adult.