Phone a friend: Too much time alone could increase your risk for cancer and heart disease, according to a recent study from the American Sociological Association.
Scientists found that people who prefer to hang only by themselves had significantly higher signs of inflammation in their bloodstreams than those who opt for social situations—and the effect was the most dramatic for guys. Those who minimized social interaction, having only one or two close buds, had a 24 percent higher risk of dying from cancer, and a 12 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease.
Friends keep you healthy by protecting you against life’s stressors, according to previous research. In some studies, support was shown to reduce tumors in cancer patients. But if you don’t have enough social contact, your immune system can weaken, putting you at risk for depression and other diseases.
And it’s cyclical: The longer you’re lonely, the more inflammation accumulates, the worse you feel, and the less likely you are to reach out to others.
So what do you do if you’re a shy guy? Opening up is just a matter of engaging people the way you want. Click here for 3 ways to build the relationships that might save your life—on your own terms.
If you liked this, you’ll love these:
- Are You Headed for a Friendship Crisis?
- The 6 Guys You Need in Your Entourage
- The Small Problem With ‘Just Friends‘
Powered by WPeMatico
No comments:
Post a Comment