Humans are social creatures. We live together in cities and crave being close to one another. But is being social actually good for our health? Hey guys, Amy here on Dews. Some not great news for single folk. According to a 2002 review in the American Journal of Sociology, uncoupled people have higher levels of depression, anxiety, mood disorders, adjustment problems, and demonstrate suicidal behavior more frequently than their coupled counterparts. And it’s not just from crippling loneliness that comes with spending night after nigh ton the couch with a growing number of cats.
Coupled people really do have a health advantage. Like less pain. A 2010 study published in PLoS ONE found that feelings of euphoria associated with romantic love active the brain’s reward system and reduces physical thermal pain. The study had love-struck participants less than nine months into a new relationship hold heat block. They were then asked to complete three tasks: look at pictures of their significant other, look at pictures of equally attractive strangers, and complete a word-association distraction task that has been shown to reduce pain.
Participants reported less pain with both the partner pictures and the distraction test, but only the partner pictures activate dares of the brain associated with reward systems suggesting love really is a drug-free pain remedy. Being in love — especially when you're nuts about someone in the early phases of a relationship— releases hormones in the brain that actually make you happier.
According to a 2010 study by the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, brains in relationships produce cortisol, a stress hormone that regulates and moderates the effects of stress on the body. Romantic love also activates dopa mine-rich areas in the brain according to a 2005 study in the Journal of Neurophysiology. These are the parts of the brain associated with reward, desire, addiction and euphoric states, so basically all those things that make you feel amazing. Which is just a great thing overall. A 2000 study by the U. S. Bureau of the Census, found that people in long-term relationships simply live longer, and that’s even when adjusted for socioeconomic factors. So, great! But kinda depressing for singles… good thing friendships are also really important! Our social inclinations mean that we support each other in living the best lives we can, helping us stick with healthy diets, encouraging us to follow exercise routines, and also promoting vital relaxation by just spending social time together. There have been dozens of studies that say satisfying relationships with family and friends have similar health benefits to being in love.
Strong friendships have been found to relieve stress, which in turn contributes to healthy coronary arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and immune system. Having a network of important relationships can also make a difference in the elderly, reducing the risk of dementia in people over 75. Like everything in our lives, the quality of these relationships matter. The most positive, healthy relationships and friendships will have the best benefits for our health while toxic friendships with negative people will have the reverse effect. Some research has even found that couples going through big fights have lowered immune systems.
And it’s not just preventative medicine that relationships are good for. People with strong relationships are 50% more likely to survive a life-threatening illness than people with weaker ones. There’s nothing wrong with leaning on friends if you’re going through rough times. It might save your life. So taking time to invest and maintain the best relationships in your life isn’t just good for your social life, it’s good for your health for the rest of your life. And if you’re thinking of letting that special loved one know just how much you appreciate how much they make your whole life better, remember that Kay Jewelers is the number one jewelry store in America.
So real friends are great! But it turns out, Internet-friends are pretty good for your health, too. We explore those relationships a little more in this video right here. We’ll put a link in the description for those of you on mobile. How have good friends impacted your life? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to subscribe for more DNews every day of the week. How have good friends impacted your life? Let us know in the comments below and keep coming back to Test Tube for more DNews every single day of the week. How have good friends impacted your life?
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