The friendship secret: why socialising could help you live longer

Research has shown that social isolation can have devastating effects on our physical and mental health. A study published in mice found that lonely mice experienced more brain damage after strokes and were less likely to recover than their socialised counterparts.

Neuroscientist Ben Rein argues that this is not unique to mice, but also applies to humans. When we are isolated, it triggers a stress response in our bodies, which can lead to the release of cortisol, a hormone that suppresses inflammation. However, if this stress response is prolonged, it can have serious consequences for our health.

Rein suggests that socialising has numerous benefits for our health and wellbeing. For example, when we connect with others, our brains release oxytocin, also known as "the cuddly hormone", which promotes feelings of relaxation and reduces stress. Oxytocin also helps to regulate inflammation, which is a major contributor to many chronic diseases.

Moreover, socialising can be a powerful tool for building resilience and improving mental health. Research has shown that people who are isolated or lonely are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, while those who have strong social connections tend to have better mental health outcomes.

However, Rein also acknowledges that everyone is different when it comes to their social needs. Some people may be extroverts who thrive on social interaction, while others may be introverts who prefer quieter environments. Nevertheless, he argues that socialising is essential for our overall wellbeing and can even provide a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Rein's book, "Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection", offers practical advice on how to get the most out of social interactions. He suggests that we upgrade our interactions by choosing those that offer more social reward, such as video calls or meeting up with friends instead of texting or calling alone.

Ultimately, Rein's message is one of hope and empowerment. By understanding the science behind social connection, we can take steps to build stronger relationships with others and improve our own mental and physical health. As he puts it, "connection is good for us like vitamin D or getting enough sleep; socialising is presented as the kind of longevity hack loved by podcast bros."

I'm totally feeling this ! I mean, who doesn't love hangouts with friends or just chillin' in the library with mates? It's all about balance tho, some people do need that alone time to focus. But for me, socialising is where it's at! When we connect with others, we feel more energized and motivated. I was feeling so down last semester when I didn't have any friends in my new school but then I joined a club and now I'm all about making connections with people who share similar interests It's like, our brains are wired to respond positively to social interactions!

omg u guys i just read this study about how social isolation is super bad 4 our health lol my ex bff who's always been a bit introverted has been feeling so down lately and i feel like i should've done more to hang out with her but anyway back to the study it says that oxytocin is like this hormone that makes us relax and stuff and we get it when we're socializing which is why i'm obsessed w/ video calls now lol i mean what's not to love about catching up w/ friends online

I don’t usually comment but I think this study on mice and its implications on humans is really interesting . I mean, who knew that being lonely could lead to more brain damage after a stroke? It's not exactly surprising, though - isn't social isolation kind of like a ticking time bomb for our mental health?

I've had some friends who are total extroverts and they're always on the go, but others who are introverted and prefer to stay home. I think it's all about finding that balance, you know? Like, if you're an extrovert, maybe try joining a club or group that aligns with your interests - that way you can still meet new people without feeling like you're forced into socializing.

And the part about oxytocin being released when we connect with others is so cool . It makes total sense that it would have a positive impact on our mental health and wellbeing. I've noticed myself feeling more relaxed after having deep conversations with friends or family members - it's like we're just vibing off each other's energy.

Anyway, I think this research is a great reminder of how important social connection is for us humans . It's not rocket science, but sometimes we need to be reminded of the importance of being present and engaging with others.

I'm so done with people thinking they can just isolate themselves and expect to be fine . Newsflash: we're all human beings, not robots that can survive on solo Netflix binges . I mean, have you ever tried to have a deep conversation or share your feelings with someone who's been staring at their phone for hours? It's like trying to get blood from a stone .

And don't even get me started on the idea that everyone is different when it comes to social needs . Yeah, sure, some people might be introverts, but that doesn't mean they can't learn to connect with others if they want to . It's all about finding that balance and making time for people who care about you .

Ben Rein's book sounds like a must-read for anyone who wants to level up their social game . I'm definitely adding it to my reading list ASAP . Who else is with me on this?

I'm so worried about my grandma who lives alone in her flat... she's always saying how much she misses her late husband and that's why she gets so down. My friend's cousin has a similar problem, they're really shy and only come out of their shell when they're at work. It makes me sad to think about how social isolation can affect people like them. Back in my day, we'd always have family gatherings and BBQs on the weekends... now it seems like everyone's too busy with their own stuff . This study reminds me of that one movie where the guy lived in a cardboard box for months because he couldn't cope with social isolation... what was it called? Anyway, it just makes me want to hug my friends and family more often!

I'm telling you, this is a total wake-up call . We need to acknowledge that our mental and physical health is linked to how social we are, and it's time to make social interaction a priority . I mean, think about it, if mice need their social crew to recover from strokes, what does that say about us as humans? We're already getting enough vitamin D from our screens, but socialising is like the ultimate health hack . We should be investing in social skills, not just online friendships . And let's be real, who doesn't love a good oxytocin fix ? But what about introverts, though? Rein says we need to find our balance, but I think it's time we redefine what 'social' means for each of us and make it workable for everyone .

I think this research on mice is kinda cool, but also super relevant to humans too! I mean, who hasn't felt lonely or isolated at some point? And yeah, it makes sense that our bodies would respond with stress when we're alone for a long time. It's like, our brains are wired to crave social interaction and connection!

I love how the neuroscientist is saying that socialising isn't just nice, but actually good for us in terms of our physical and mental health . Like, have you ever had one of those days where you've talked to a friend or family member and suddenly feel like everything's better? That's oxytocin doing its thing! And it's not just about feeling relaxed, but also about reducing inflammation, which is super important for our overall health.

I'm intrigued by the idea that everyone's got their own social needs, whether they're extroverts or introverts . But yeah, I think Rein's right that socialising is essential for our wellbeing and can even give us a sense of purpose in life . And who wouldn't want to feel like they've " upgraded" their social game by choosing interactions that bring more joy?

Mmm, this news is really deep . I mean, who knew that being alone could be so bad for you? It makes sense though, our bodies are like "Hey, we're not getting enough social interaction over here!" and they just go into stress mode . And then there's oxytocin - it's like the ultimate chill pill . But what I find kinda interesting is that everyone's different when it comes to their social needs, you know? Some people are super extroverts and need to be around others all the time, while others are more introverted and just wanna chill alone sometimes . So yeah, Rein makes some good points about how important socialising is for our health and wellbeing... it's all about finding that balance .

I totally get why social media has been created but honestly sometimes I worry about how much screen time my kids are having . They're always glued to their tablets, and it's like they're missing out on actual human interaction . My little one just told me she wants to join a club at school that focuses on art , which is amazing! But I'm also concerned about how much socialising she'll be doing when she's older... are we raising a generation of introverts who don't know how to connect with others face-to-face? We need to find a balance between technology and real-life connections .

You know what's wild? I was just thinking about that yesterday when I was playing this new game on my phone . It's so immersive, but sometimes it feels like I'm missing out on real-life interactions with friends and family. Like, have you ever played a multiplayer game where you're stuck in this virtual world all day and then you finally log off and realize how much time has passed? It's weird . Anyway, back to socializing... I think it's so important to make time for the people who care about us, whether that's in person or just a quick video call .

man, this stuff blows my mind ... think about how many times we've just sat around alone, feeling down or stressed, and never even considered that it's because our brains are basically going into overdrive without any social connection ... like, cortisol is a big deal, but oxytocin is the real MVP ... and Rein's advice to upgrade our interactions sounds so simple yet genius , like just make video calls or meet up with friends instead of solo texting... i'm definitely gonna try that out ... it's crazy how important socialising is for our wellbeing , especially when you think about all the chronic diseases we're dealing with these days

I'm all about that social life! I mean, come on, who doesn't love being around people and feeling those oxytocin vibes? It's like our brains are wired to release relaxation and reduce stress when we hang out with others. And let's be real, isolation is just not cool, you know? Being alone all the time can lead to some serious negative effects on our health, both mentally and physically. I'm talking depression, anxiety, and even more chronic diseases. Not exactly what we want to deal with, right? So yeah, Ben Rein's message is spot on - socialising is key! Even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones or trying new things, like video calls or meeting up with friends instead of solo activities. It's all about finding that balance and upgrading those interactions to get the most out of them. Connection is definitely good for us, like vitamin D or a solid night's sleep!

Social isolation is no joke, trust me I've seen it mess up people's lives They say just stay home and chill but that's not gonna cut it when you're stuck in a never-ending loop of thoughts and feelings The human brain needs interaction to function properly And let's be real, some people are just wired differently Introverts need their alone time too So yeah, socialising is key

omg u no how stressed i get when im stuck at home 4 days straight its like my brain gets all messed up. so yeah, research on mice & stuff shows us that isolation is bad for ur brain lol. like, who doesnt love hangin out w/ friends? oxytocin is literally the best . but u know whos got a point too? those introverts . everyone's diffrent when it comes to social needs. i mean, i need my me-time, but some ppl r just meant 2 b around others all da time lol. anywayz, rein's book is def on my wishlist

OMG u guys! so I just read this study about how isolation is literally ruining our brains and I'm like... how did we not know this?! I mean, I've been feeling super burnt out lately and it makes total sense now. Social isolation is like a stress bomb just waiting to go off and then you're dealing with all the negative effects on your physical health. But at the same time, when I'm socializing with friends or family, I feel like my anxiety actually goes down and my mood improves so much! It's crazy how something as simple as hanging out with people can have such a big impact on our wellbeing . And it's not just about us either - having strong social connections is literally linked to better mental health outcomes for everyone!

I gotta say, this whole brain damage thing from loneliness is pretty wild . I mean, we all know being alone can't be good for us, but it's crazy to think our brains are literally dying off because we're not socializing enough . And yeah, oxytocin and cortisol are like, totally opposite hormones, right? One promotes relaxation, the other suppresses inflammation... no wonder socialising is so important .

I love how Ben Rein says everyone's different when it comes to social needs though. I mean, introverts aren't just shy or awkward, they actually prefer quieter environments because it helps them recharge . So yeah, socialising is key, but not everyone needs (or wants) the same kind of interaction .

And that advice on upgrading our interactions? Total game-changer . Video calls instead of texting alone, meet up with friends... easy peasy, lemon squeezy . It's all about finding what works for you and making those social connections count .

OMG, this study on mice is literally amazing!!! I mean, we already knew that being lonely was bad for us, but to see it in action like this is mind-blowing! It's so true, socialising has so many benefits for our health and wellbeing. I love how Ben Rein says that socialising can be a powerful tool for building resilience and improving mental health His tips on upgrading interactions are genius too! Video calls instead of texting/calling alone? Yes, please!

I'm totally down for Rein's idea that socialising is key to a healthy mind and body! Like, think about it - we spend so much time stuck at home or glued to our screens, but when we connect with others, it's like a weight lifts off our shoulders . I've noticed that when I'm feeling down or stressed, a quick call or video chat with a friend can totally turn my day around . And Rein's right, oxytocin is like the ultimate mood-booster - who wouldn't want to feel all relaxed and happy?