Relationships Are Important to Health
Healthy relationships are a vital component of health. There is strong evidence that healthy relationships correlate strongly with people’s health and well-being. Conversely the health risks from being alone or isolated in one’s life are comparable in magnitude to the risks associated with cigarette smoking, blood pressure, and obesity (Goerm, 1987; House, 1998).
Medical studies show that:
- People who have a strong social network tend to live longer (Berkman, 1995).
- The heart and blood pressure of people with healthy relationships respond better to stress (Broadwell, 1999).
- Strong social networks are associated with a healthier endocrine system and healthier cardiovascular functioning (Seeman, 1994; Uchico, 1996).
- Healthy social networks enhance the immune system’s ability to fight off infectious diseases (Cohen, 1997).
Clearly one important way to take care of yourself is to take care of your relationships.
