New Study: Friendships Lengthen your Lifespan

   New Study: Friendships   

   Lengthen your Lifespan

M.A. Dworkin

     USVI - A recent study by the Mayo Clinic proves, what many Virgin Islanders have known for a long time, that friendship isn’t just enriching, it’s crucial to living a longer, healthier life.

     Researchers monitored the health of nearly 17,000 adults for more than 17 years. They found that those lacking social connections were approximately 2 to 3 times more likely to die at a younger age than were their companions with more social connections. 

     This new research comes on the heels of dozens of studies recently shared by the American Psychological Association (APA), which collectively found overwhelming evidence that high-quality friendships can significantly improve a person’s well-being. 

     “In the face of life’s challenges, having a close friend to turn to seems to be a buffer or protective factor against the negative outcomes we might otherwise see,”  Catherine Bagwell, a Professor of Psychology at Davidson College told the APA during an interview.

     Apparently, people who experience prolonged social isolation face a greater risk of heart attacks, stroke, and premature death, with researchers estimating that loneliness increases the risk of early death by as much as 26 per cent.

     American culture places a high premium on romantic love, yet, in fact, relationship woes are among the top reasons people seek therapy, the APA found. And while romance can be a meaningful part of one’s life, the benefits of friendship should not be overlooked. Research suggests that stable, healthy friendships are crucial for our well-being and longevity. People who have friends and close confidants are more satisfied with their lives and less likely to suffer from depression.

     “In a world that caters primarily to romantic couples, friendship is something we really need to understand,” Dartmouth College Professor Thalia Wheatley explained. “There’s been this preoccupation with romantic relationships, but many of our close relationships are with friends.”

     Friendship benefits people across all ages. Lifelong connections matter most. The cumulative warmth, support, and community ties you build over time have the greatest impact on longevity. Think of relationships as long-term investments. The earlier and more consistently you nurture them, the greater the health benefits later in life. With deep, lasting social bonds, you maintain a much younger brain age than your chronological one. Strong friendships can actually increase your longevity at the cellular level.

     “Cumulative social advantage is really about the depth and breath of your social connections over a lifetime,” says Anthony Ong. Psychology Professor at Cornell University.  

     As you age, friendships can become an especially important source of happiness and life satisfaction. Frequent interactions with a close friend may in fact boost happiness in old age more than those with close family ties. 

     What separates this study from past ones, that sought out the connections between the individual and family, is its cumulative approach. Rather than studying isolated social factors, like marriage or family ties, researchers took a multidimensional approach and observed lifelong relationships instead. 

     “It’s not just about having friends today, it’s about how your social connections have grown and deepened throughout your life,” said Mr. Ong. “That accumulation shapes the health trajectory in measurable ways. While that doesn’t mean a single friendship can turn back your biological clock, the relationships you’ve built your whole life are the ones to focus on and pay greater attention to.”

     Mr. Ong lays it out as a metaphor: “Think of social connections like a retirement account. The earlier you start investing and more consistently you contribute, the greater your returns.” 

     Of course, one simple explanation about all this is that friendships can be more fun, more carefree, and not weighed down with   baggage like other relationships. You can spill all the tea to a good friend and don’t have to worry about dealing with them over the breakfast table in the morning.