With a Little Help From My Friends

Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last 40 years, you probably know the lyrics to the famous Beatles song. Hum it with me now:

“I get by with with a little help from my friends.”

Yes, it’s catchy, but also true according to an Australian study conducted over a 10-year period. Having friends can help you get by, but it does more than that, it can help you live longer. The study found that people with a large circle of friends are less likely to die — 22 percent less likely — than those with fewer friends. Other studies show that friendships can aid in promoting brain health, fighting illness and depression, and reducing the risk of heart attack.

“In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn’t terribly well appreciated,” said Rebecca G. Adams, a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. “There is just scads of stuff on families and marriage, but very little on friendship. It baffles me. Friendship has a bigger impact on our psychological well-being than family relationships.”

Nearly 3,000 nurses with breast cancer participated in a 2006 study that found women without close friends were four times as likely to die from the disease as women with 10 or more friends. And surprisingly, having a spouse wasn’t associated with survival.

Researchers aren’t certain why friendship has such a profound psychological effect. Maybe it’s because strong friendship networks give people someone to turn to in times of need, thereby lowering stress. Maybe it’s the unwavering support and love they provide — or physical help (i.e. helping them run errands or pick up medicine). Regardless of the reason why, it’s clear that friends make your life better.

So, if you want to live a longer, healthier life, nurture your relationships. Not only will you reap the benefits, but they will too!