Some people like big social gatherings and others prefer much more intimate get-togethers, but whichever is your preference it’s always great to spend time with friends and family. In fact, as well as being fun, socializing is actually good for your health. Here are some reasons why.
Fewer Colds
The more time you spend with other people, the less likely you are to catch a cold. This is because your immune system is subjected to as many different illnesses as possible, and becomes stronger for it. Extroverts have highly functioning immune systems, and that means they are much healthier.
Reduce The Chances of Depression
When you’re feeling down, you may not feel as though going out and seeing other people is what you want to do. However, studies show that spending time with other people, connecting with them, interacting with them, can make you feel much happier, even if you didn’t think it was possible. Remember that it’s face to face meetings which have the most impact, so try to meet up with friends rather than emailing or telephoning. If you’re worried about falling short in conversation, check out funattic.com for icebreaker ideas. Talking through your problems with your friends can help you feel a lot better when you’ve got the blues. If this doesn’t help, then it’s a good idea to see a doctor for additional help.
Better Sleep
Socializing can even help you to sleep better. Those who are more isolated in their day to day lives have been proven to also be more restless at night. Even if they get a full eight hours of sleep, it may not be deep enough, or of good enough quality, and that can make them very ill indeed. If you’re having trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, or if you find that you wake up feeling as tired as when you went to sleep, it might be because you aren’t spending enough time with other people.
More Productivity
Thanks to a study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, we now know that employees who work with other people tend to be much more productive than those who work alone. It is because they are happier; they get their work done more quickly, and they feel more satisfied with their jobs. So if you work alone, you should make sure you find the time to go and meet up with friends for a coffee or lunch from time to time. When you go back to your desk, you’ll feel better for it.
Sharper Brain
As we get older, our brain function degenerates, and we begin to experience memory loss and confusion. Unfortunately, it can even lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Active socializing delays the onset of these problems and being around people can help our brains stay more healthy.
Longer Life
The more friends you have (and the more time you spend with them), the longer you’ll live. A study has suggested that those with plenty of social relationships live up to 50 percent longer than those who don’t socialize quite so much.