The Health Benefits of Strong Relationships

The word Relationship does not only focus between two individual or between couple. Or what we commonly consider as a romantic or sexual friendship between two people. A simple definition of relationship can be: the way in which two or more people, groups of individual, relationships between countries talk to, behave toward, and deal with each other. It is also the way in which two or more people in particular are connected towards each other.

Good connections can improve health and increase longevity or it can provide each individual a long life.

For many of us, we usually get along with the people around us during holiday seasons, because that’s the only time we could have family gatherings, and the only moment that we can get together with friends, and participate in special religious, community, and workplace activities. Well, such occasions are an opportunity to check in with each other, exchange ideas, and perhaps lend a supportive ear or shoulder. 

But how about when it’s not holiday season? 

Most of us focus on our studies, work and our personal lives. But we should also come to think of best thing that can relieve our stress for our own good. Most of the people who are workaholic and those who don’t have social lives because they are so busy in their job have the higher rate for depression and other disease or complications with regards to our health.

According to Harvard Women’s Health Watch, Social connections like these not only give us pleasure, they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking. Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer.

Conversely, a relative lack of social ties is associated with depression and later-life cognitive decline, as well as with increased mortality. One study, which examined data from more than 309,000 people, found that lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50%, an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity.

The quality of our relationships matters. We all know that not every relationship is healthy, just for example: A relationship that often encounters conflict between their members can only give each other something to think of. Over thinking is another reason for us to lose focus in our daily activity. Going out and taking a little break can help relieve and avoid tension within oneself. Social interaction with others and hanging out with friends is one of the best thing to do when you are fed up with all of the problems in a relationship.