Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they ignore a powerful thing that could help them fight illness: their friends.
Many
people
turn
to
doctors
or
self-help
books
,
but
they
ignore
a
powerful
thing
that
could
help
them
fight
illness
:
their
friends
.
Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health.
Researchers
are
only
now
starting
to
pay
attention
to
the
importance
of
friendship
in
health
.
A 10-year Australian study found that old People with a large circle of friends.
A
10-year
Australian
study
found
that
old
People
with
a
large
circle
of
friends
.
A large 2007 study showed an increase of nearly 60 percent in the risk for obesity among people whose friends gained weight.
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 improve brain health as we age.
And
last
year
,
Harvard
researchers
reported
that
strong
social
ties
could
improve
brain
health
as
we
age
.
"In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn ’ t well realized," said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina.
``
In
general
,
the
role
of
friendship
in
our
lives
isn
’
t
well
realized
,
''
said
Rebecca
,
a
professor
at
the
University
of
North
Carolina
.
"Friendship has a bigger effect on our psychological health than family relationships."
``
Friendship
has
a
bigger
effect
on
our
psychological
health
than
family
relationships
.
''
While many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too.
While
many
friendship
studies
are
about
the
close
relationships
of
women
,
some
research
shows
that
it
can
do
good
to
men
too
.
In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart attack.
In
a
six-year
study
of
736
middle-aged
men
,
having
friendships
reduces
the
risk
of
heart
attack
.
Only smoking was as important a risk factor as having little social support.
Only
smoking
was
as
important
a
risk
factor
as
having
little
social
support
.
Exactly why friendship has such a big effect isn't entirely clear.
Exactly
why
friendship
has
such
a
big
effect
is
n't
entirely
clear
.
While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help.
While
friends
can
send
a
sick
person
to
the
hospital
or
pick
up
medicine
,
the
advantages
go
well
beyond
physical
help
.
Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect.
Friendship
clearly
has
a
big
psychological
effect
.
"People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to," said Karen, a doctor.
``
People
with
stronger
friendships
feel
like
there
is
someone
they
can
turn
to
,
''
said
Karen
,
a
doctor
.
"The message of these studies is that friends make your life better."
``
The
message
of
these
studies
is
that
friends
make
your
life
better
.
''
Many people turn to doctors or self-help books, but they ignore a powerful thing that could help them fight illness: their friends.  Researchers are only now starting to pay attention to the importance of friendship in health. A 10-year Australian study found that old People with a large circle of 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 improve brain health as we age.  "In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn ’ t well realized," said Rebecca, a professor at the University of North Carolina. "Friendship has a bigger effect on our psychological health than family relationships."  While many friendship studies are about the close relationships of women, some research shows that it can do good to men too. In a six-year study of 736 middle-aged men, having friendships reduces the risk of heart attack. Only smoking was as important a risk factor as having little social support.  Exactly why friendship has such a big effect isn't entirely clear. While friends can send a sick person to the hospital or pick up medicine, the advantages go well beyond physical help. Friendship clearly has a big psychological effect. "People with stronger friendships feel like there is someone they can turn to," said Karen, a doctor. "The message of these studies is that friends make your life better."