The Connection Between Positive Social Relationships and Good Health

Human beings are social creatures and along with food, shelter, and clothing, they need companions. The close-knit circle of family and friends plays a vital role in every phase of our journey.  And now research also says that a Positive social relationship is good for your health!

Life awaits outside the college or office cubicles after work hours and good friends. A good social life helps you live that life to the fullest. A group trip, weekend parties, and festive celebrations paint the beautiful picture in our memory.

Social relationships affect mental health and behavior patterns. It also impacts your physical health and mortality risk. Let us see some positive effects of good social relationships.

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1. Positive social relationship is good for your health

The journey of life is through a rugged road with many ups and downs on the way. Having a shoulder to lean, an ear that listens, a heart that empathizes, and eyes that understand the unspoken words helps in passing the tough time and prevents from going into sadness and depression.

Indulging in fun activities with the close ones helps in de-stressing and refreshing the mind.  Sharing happiness is just as important as sharing one’s grievances. Being able to share the joy of success motivates us to strive harder.

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2. Good social relations make you healthier

Research on the effects of social relations has considered several biomarkers such as blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference, and levels of the inflammation marker C-reactive protein in a group of socially active individuals and a group of socially indifferent people. The results have proved that people with good social relations have healthier outcomes than the ones who prefer isolation.

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3. May increase your life span

Positive social relations keep the body healthy and diseases at bay. It aids in combating stress and other chronic illness which in turn improves the quality of life. 

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4. Keeps your mind sharp

A 2012 study found that in older people dementia risk is on an upsurge with their feelings of loneliness.

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5. Helps in fighting obesity

Apart from being a great stress buster, good social relationships also encourage to be fit and healthy. Increased outdoor expeditions, fun activities, and working out together are some ways of putting down the extra kilos.

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Scientific Research on Goodness of Social Relationship

Scientific researches have established the fact that a lack of social connections in a person’s life decreases life expectancy. Research suggests that social isolation can lead to cardiovascular problems, cancer, and other aging-related diseases such as diabetes and arthritis.

The harmful effects of social isolation are being overweight, having high blood pressure, a higher risk for inflammation, and other chronic diseases and illnesses, such as cancer and asthma.

Another study showed evidence that social relationships affect a range of health outcomes, including mental health, physical health, health habits, and mortality risk. 

Clearly, our close knitted circle of friends and family help us with a lot more than we realize. However, it’s important to understand that social relationships are fruitful when the bond is positive. A negative social connection, such as that with an abusive parent or spouse, can actually harm your health.