1. Spending time with your best friend keeps you healthy and sane!
Do you feel happier when you spend quality time with your close friends? Do you smile when you think about going out for a coffee with your BFF or watching movies together? If you said yes to these questions, you have a valid reason to do so. Now even science says hanging out with your friends helps to lower your stress levels and improve your quality of life.
2. In simpler words
A study done by the University of Oxford has concluded that those who spend quality time with their close friends twice a week have better emotional and physical health. Such people have stronger immune systems and tend to recuperate quickly from a disease or surgery.
3. How men benefit
Men who are socially active are less prone to suffer from depression caused by job insecurity and finances. Also, they tend to recover from illness quicker than those who have a less active social life.
4. Your friends help to reduce your stress levels
Another study done by the University of California, Los Angeles suggests women manage their stress better when they have friends. Researchers claim that production of the hormone oxytocin (that promotes the feeling of wellbeing) increases when women spend time with people they love and in turn, they have a better coping mechanism
5. Women do not just gossip!
Before you start picturing women meeting their close friends only to engage in some gossip session, here’s some much-needed information. Many participants of the research met their close friends and discussed their relationship and professional life issues, politics, grief-related topics and what has been happening in their life.
6. What about men?
The same logic applies to men as well. The researchers explained that men bond through a variety of activities including team sports or having drinks on a Friday night. Though, what matters is that they should meet people they like and are emotionally attached with at least twice a week.
7. Feeling low?
In case you have been feeling low lately, it might be a good and scientifically-approved idea to call up your bestie and make plans to hang out!