The Importance of Friendship

“Many people will walk in and out of your life; but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart."—Author Unknown

Feeling guilty about chatting online? Well don’t! According to BBC News, having a strong network of friends may actually help you live longer!  CBS News reports that a strong social network was more important than family ties for survival.  We all know how friends benefit us personally. Here are some scientific facts about friendship:

Having friends may encourage people to look after their health, and help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety at difficult times.

According to RealAge.com, a long-term, loving relationship can reduce a person’s “Real Age” by as many as 6-1/2 years.

In cases of terminal illness, having close friends is associated with longer survival rates.

The lack of friendship may actually harm us. Those who have no friends seem to suffer the most from loneliness, social isolation, and feelings of worthlessness. As a result, they may feel greater stress, and stress contributes to a variety of health disorders including heart attacks, asthma, certain types of cancer, diabetes, headaches, and even the common cold!

Of course, nothing can compare to personal friendships, but there are benefits to having virtual friends as well. Join a message board and experience them for yourself:

Virtual friends are there 24/7

• Ask a question and get a variety of answers to help you make a decision
• Personal schedules do not matter. You’ll never get a busy signal or answering machine.
• Be a part of a community.
• Anonymity, if you choose.
• Create a large circle of friends.
• Meet interesting people from all over the globe.
• You may even develop real friendships with people in your area!