A Healthy Friendship

After a good laugh or heartfelt talk with my friends, my health improves. In additional to a mental boost I get an energy boost as well. Just the other day I was down about the state of the economy and after 1 1/2 hours spent with my friend Donna, I was ready to take on the world again.

Friendship not only improves our lives but according to a 10-year Australian study, it might save our lives. As reported in a New York Times article, the study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22% less likely to die during the study period than those with fewer friends.

Th article also includes information from Bella DePaulo, a visiting psychology professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, who says that in many studies friendship has an even greater effect on health than a spouse or family member.