Friends become more important to your health and happiness as you age, according to new US research – and they may even be better for you than your family.
In a study of more than 270,000 people in nearly 100 countries, researchers found that relationships with family and friends provided people with better health and happiness overall – but later in life, this was only the case if people still had strong friendships.
A second study of 7,500 older adults in the US also revealed that the quality of the friendships matter too.
When people said their friends were a strain, they reported higher rates of chronic illness such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease – when friends were supportive, people were happier and rated their health higher.
So why’s this the case?
You can choose your friends
The researchers believe that having close friends as we age has more benefits because the friendships have gone the distance.
“Friendships help us stave off loneliness, but are often harder to maintain across the lifespan,” says lead author psychologist William Chopik. “If a friendship has survived the test of time, you know it must be a good one.”
It makes sense. Friends can be a source of support for those who don’t have spouses or family, when you are dealing with grief and loss or even just looking to get out and have some fun.
“It’s smart to invest in the friendships that make you happiest,” Dr Chopik adds.
Sounds about right to us.
