Study Shows Having a Friend Can Benefit Your Health

Health, Wellness, and Friendship

Research indicates that not being socially connected can negatively impact your overall health and wellness. These impacts on your health are similar to the effects of high blood pressure, obesity, and many others. Therefore, it seems to make sense that a strong, supportive social network would positively impact your health and well being. Friendships are good for your health. The connections experienced in a good friendship increase your feelings of social belonging, self-esteem, and support positive mental health.

John Cacioppo, director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at the University of Chicago, reports that when you are socially isolated, your brain increases the amount of the hormone cortisol. Cacioppo also states that exposure to a prolonged high level of cortisol can be damaging to your health. The high levels of cortisol can make us more succeptible to cardivascular diseases and many others. Other current research states that as human beings, we are biologically created to seek out social connections. Without these social connections, the same part of the brain that responds when we are hurt, responds by making us feel uncomfortable.