A friend is a treasure (even for health)

The ability to strengthen and maintain sincere, selfless and altruistic relationships over time provides many psychophysical benefits according to many studies. July 30 is World Friendship Day

Moral Love

In 1984, the sociologist Francesco Alberoni defines friendship as a "moral love Made of certainty and trust. Unlike love that can not even be reciprocated, friendship is always based on reciprocity of feelings . Moreover is not exclusive (as the love of the couple) but reticular, open to different relationships, carrying unique and particular emotions.

Friendship is considered by science a secret of longevity and good health . The ability to tighten (and maintain over time) sincere, selfless and altruistic relationships would bring, according to many studies, scientifically proven psychophysical benefits

Protects the Heart

Heart Protection According to Dean Ornish professor of clinical medicine at the University of California at San Francisco, founder of the Institute for Research in Preventive Medicine, relationships with others affect not only our quality of life but also our survival. Studies show that unattached individuals are much more likely to have cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke) than those who have a strong sense of relationship and belonging to a community. Affections and friendships should be included in the doctor's book, say proponents of Psycho-cardiology the science that supports the connection between emotions and heart health.

Stronger immune defenses

Several studies show that adults who had a very close relationship with a friend enjoyed better health status, while the most lonely had higher levels of anxiety . One of them, conducted at the University of Virginia, showed that teens who lived in contact with others were, at adulthood, less stressed and less with stronger immune defenses . According to the researchers, this is due to the fact that, during the course of human evolution, separating from the group meant endangering life . In addition, having a friend leads to better self-care and a healthy lifestyle.

Life is more active

Research confirms that physical activity ] carried out in the company are the ones that give the most people. benefits, because they lived without worries and with a lower perception of fatigue compared to fitness programs tracked individually in the gym. "Cultivating friendly relationships triggers release of endorphins, like all pleasant activities," says Giuseppe Lavenia psychologist and psychotherapist, president of the National Association of Technological Addictions and Cyberbullying . "He was mutually motivated to act . This helps to create a positive self-image, as an active person surrounded by affection. All this also acts at the chemical and hormonal level at the level of well-being. "

" Cerebrally, the "social capital" is the number of people belonging to its own network of knowledge, [19459006isanacceleratorofwellbeingandanantidotetothegreatillsofthemind such as depression and degenerative diseases, "explains Iannoccari. "Friends respond to different human needs: on the psychological level, they reinforce our value as people and convey a sense of belonging.The determining factor is the feeling of being respected and strengthened in one's own identity. We choose the best friends not because they're great, but because they make us feel that. Friends helps relieve tension because the company is asking for sharing frivolous themes and stimulates irony, essential to good mood.They favor the badysis of a problem, since the comparison with others acts both cognitively and emotionally, providing information that helps to define and understand the problem, suggesting possible and alternative solutions. "

A study from the University of Michigan confirmed it by badyzing what arrive at this female evening at a party with friends. The researchers found that the feeling of belonging to a group positively influenced the mood and ability to handle anxiety and stress, thanks to the increase of progesterone, a hormone which positively affects the desire for socialization and care. This is particularly true in adulthood, when careless young people are allowed to take on new work and family responsibilities. From 25 to 45 years at the time when friendship usually takes second place, this feeling becomes even more fundamental to create a field of exchange, comparison, d & # 39; badistance. He supports him Robin Dunbar Professor of the Department of Experimental Psychology at Oxford University. He is convinced that those who do not stop dating friends, take time for themselves, become a more caring parent and a more productive worker.

Anti-aging effect

Numerous studies, including those conducted by the neurologist Laura Fratiglioni Professor at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm where she directs the Center of research on aging, indicate the effect protection of friendship networks on depression and dementia . This is also suggested by a study done at Northwestern University (USA) on the super-ager elderly with a young mind (who have cognitive abilities comparable to those of a man of 50 years). It has been found that, compared to the average, eighteen year olds have greater psychological and social well-being if they have strong and lasting links. "It allows you to keep your mind moving and prevents aging because you are more used to talking to others, interacting, understanding what they feel."

Friendship Therapy

A friend is not only useful as a prevention, but also as a cure. Specialists of the British Alzheimer Society have shown that those who suffer from dementia, even if they are no longer able to recognize the faces of their loved ones and even to remember their visits, are still able to remember the happiness experienced while being in company, thanks to "emotional memory" which is not canceled by the disease, but which continues to affect the psychological well-being of the sick. Another study conducted by the University of Toronto found that depressed people who can count on the support of close friends are four times more likely than those who are fully recovered that those who are socially isolated

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30 July 2018

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