The power of friendship to keep you young
If you've ever felt the benefit of a loved one's warm embrace when you're feeling stressed or sad, it might not surprise you that strong relationships can do wonders for your wellbeing.
Research over the years has shown that people with strong social ties tend to be healthier, but a 2025 study, published in Brain, Behaviour and Immunity now suggests that it could also slow down the ageing process.
Researchers in the United States came up with a measure called 'cumulative social advantage', which takes into account the benefits of maintaining strong, supportive relationships over time, rather than just newer relationships.
They looked at things like support from parents growing up, participation in the community, and ongoing support from friends and family. People who had these things were more likely to have a younger biological age and less inflammation in the body.
Co-author of the study, Anthony Ong, says "Think of social connections like a retirement account. The earlier you start investing and the more consistently you contribute, the greater your returns".
So, how are friendships so powerful? Humans have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years as social beings – we're wired for connection. For our ancestors, being part of a group wasn't just about having company, it kept us safe and made it easier to find and share food and raise offspring. And it now appears that these connections affect our bodies on a biological, cellular level.
"While it is always good to make new friends, there is often a greater sense of trust and dependability with people you've known for a longer time, " says Hillary Ammon, a clinical psychologist at the Center for Anxiety and Women's Emotional Wellness.
Of course, maintaining relationships as we get older can be difficult as people closest to us move away, or prioritise other things. Hillary says not to worry if your friends are newer, as connection is what really matters. A strong network of friends not only adds years to your life, it adds life to your years.
词汇表
do wonders for 对…有奇效，对…大有好处
strong social ties 稳固的社会关系，紧密的社会联系
cumulative social advantage [ˈkjuːmjələtɪv] 累积社会优势（指个人或群体在经济、教育、关系网络等方面不断积累的优势）
take into account 考虑到，顾及
supportive [səˈpɔːtɪv] adj. 给予帮助的，支持性的
biological age [ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl] 生理年龄，生物学年龄
inflammation [ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃn] n. 炎症，发炎
retirement account [rɪˈtaɪəmənt] 退休账户
consistently [kənˈsɪstəntli] adv. 一贯地，持续地，始终如一地
be wired for [ˈwaɪəd] 生来就，天生适合，本能倾向于
offspring [ˈɒfsprɪŋ] n. 后代，子女
cellular [ˈseljələ(r)] adj. 细胞的，由细胞组成的
dependability [dɪˌpendəˈbɪləti] n. 可靠性，可信度
clinical psychologist [ˈklɪnɪkl saɪˈkɒlədʒɪst] 临床心理学家
prioritise [praɪˈɒrətaɪz] vt. 优先处理，优先考虑，把…放在首位
a network of friends [ˈnetwɜːk] 朋友圈子，人脉网
adds years to one's life 延长寿命，延展生命的长度
adds life to one's years 丰富人生，为生活增添活力
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