Health: Benefits of social support

Various studies show that strong social ties are associated with longer life. However, loneliness and social isolation are associated with poorer health, depression and an increased risk of early death.

Different social relationships can help: stress reduction and heart-related risks; immune system response; and mood and sense of well-being, according to the National Institutes of Health.

An example of this would be when in couples one of them improves their lifestyle, the other is more likely to adopt the same positive behaviors.

There are other types of relationships, which may include friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, clubs and religious groups, according to nutrition experts.

Studies have found that people who have wider and diverse social connections tend to live longer. They also tend to have better mental and physical health than people with fewer such relationships,” explains David Heber, an expert on the subject.

The power of social support systems can also have the potential to transform the health of entire communities while paying all sorts of dividends.

Healthier communities mean fewer health problems, a more productive workforce and greater health care cost savings, adds the president of the Herbalife Nutrition Institute.

Data

The recent research They confirm what many scientists and doctors already suspected, there is real health benefit in the social network of friends, family and community, reiterates the publication of the National Institutes of Health.