Friendships can extend your lifespan

You should not work and live in isolation; friendships can extend your lifespan. And how you interact with others – communicating, networking, delegating, socializing and collaborating – all impact your success in managing time.
Although we tend to blame our time problems on others, including socializing at work, interruptions and meetings, the higher the quantity and quality of your relationships, the longer you live. That’s the message we get from examining the research in that area. Strong relationships lengthen your life, boost your immune system and cut the risk of depression.
An article in the January, 2015 issue of Reader’s Digest mentioned a Grant Study of Harvard undergraduates conducted by psychiatrist George Vaillant. The study revealed that those who thrived into old age were ones who figured out how to love and be loved. Vaillant suggested that it was the capacity for intimate relationships that predicted flourishing
Data collected from Brigham Young University showed that people with active social lives were 50% less likely to die of any cause than their non-social counterparts. Low levels of social interaction evidently have the same effects as smoking15 cigarettes a day – and even worse effects than being obese or not exercising.
Research by Sheldon Cohen of Carnegie Mellon University suggests that the more social connections you have, the greater your ability to fight infection. A University of Michigan study of 3500 people revealed that the more time spent with friends was associated with higher scores on memory tests. And interaction with people provides greater brain stimulation than a computer monitor or TV set.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic say that having friends can increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost your happiness, reduce stress, improve your self-worth, and help you cope with traumas such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the loss of a loved one.
And most people will agree that being among friends is a lot more fun than being alone -especially during special occasions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.