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Posted: 2011-05-03T13:19:18Z | Updated: 2011-07-02T10:12:01Z 7 Ways Friends Keep You Healthy | HuffPost

7 Ways Friends Keep You Healthy

7 Ways Friends Keep You Healthy
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We all know how good a fun night out with a group of friends can feel -- and, turns out, it may actually be just as good for your body as it is for your state of mind. Lately, study after study has found that enjoying an active social life can improve your health. Here, seven scientifically-backed reasons to be thankful for your friends:

They Can Slash Dementia Risk(01 of07)
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Having a highly active social life can decrease Alzheimer's disease risk by a surprisingly high 70 percent, according to new findings published in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society . The scientists, based out of Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center in Chicago had noticed a link between less-social seniors and dementia, but they weren't sure if early dementia symptoms were causing isolation or if friends actually do keep your brain healthier, TIME reports . Turns out it was the latter: "Each one-point increase on the social activity score was linked to a 47 percent drop in the rate of decline in cognitive function, the researchers found," the TIME article says.
They Can Keep You Fit(02 of07)
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You may have thought you grew out of peer pressure in grade school, but a recent Australian study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity found that our friends have a direct influence over our physical activity levels and eating habits. "These findings suggest that healthy behavior may be contagious," lead author Kylie Ball of Deakin University, Australia was quoted saying in Science Daily .
They Can Sharpen Your Brain(03 of07)
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Friendly chit-chat can have the same cognitive boost as, say, solving a crossword puzzle, according to research conducted at the University of Michigan . In a recent study, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, the scientists found that that a simple ten-minute conversation increased performance level on a battery of mental tasks. "Taken together with earlier research, these findings highlight the connection between social intelligence and general intelligence," lead author Oscar Ybarra said in a university press release.
They Can Bolster Self Esteem(04 of07)
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Gossiping with friends gets a bad rap, but that may not be totally deserved. A study from Staffordshire University recently found that when people gossip about someone in a positive way, they actually leave the conversation feeling better about themselves -- but keep it nice: mean-spirited gossip had the opposite effect.Another study from a few years ago also found that happiness begets happiness: having a friend who is happy boosts your chance of feeling the same way by more than 15 percent, reports the Los Angeles Times .
They Can Promote Better Health Later In Life(05 of07)
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Having supportive relationships can actually postpone the aging process. A recent study from Brandeis University researchers found that a strong social network -- especially when combined with physical exercise and a feeling of control in one's life -- could delay health declines by up to ten years.
They Can Help You Live Longer(06 of07)
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Strong relationships with friends and family can increase your odds of surviving by a whopping 50 percent, according to recent research from Brigham Young University. The scientsists in the study found that a poor social life is even more harmful to your health than not exercising and equivalent to being an alcoholic. "We take relationships for granted as humans -- we're like fish that don't notice the water," study author Timothy Smith said in a university press release. "That constant interaction is not only beneficial psychologically but directly to our physical health."
They Can Ease Depression From Sexual Health Problems(07 of07)
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Talking to guy friends about sex isn't just for the locker room anymore. A recent study published in the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences found that men aged 57 to 85 who discuss sexual problems -- such as lack of libido or impotence -- with their friends actually felt less depressed. But when these same men spoke to their doctors about the health problems they were facing, they were actually less likely to feel better.

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