Sarah Pope Parker has a great article in the New York Times online today summarizing a number of studies showing that friendships contribute to longer survival rates in both elderly populations and those with serious illnesses. A 10 year study in Australia found that having a strong social network in an elderly population decreased chances of dying during that study by 22%. A Harvard study documented the value of friendships in terms of “improved brain health” as we age.
Just another example of how we can be happier and healthier in a simple, affordable way.
