Roseto Effect<\/a>.<\/p>\nSocial contact increases levels of the hormone \u2018oxytocin\u2019 which, as well as its known roles in breast feeding, digestion, and childbirth, is also a \u2018cardioprotective\u2019 hormone (protects the cardiovascular system). Research shows that it lowers blood pressure and also helps reduce levels of some of the chemicals involved in heart disease.<\/p>\n
OK, a few people might point out that they know someone who has lots of good relationships but also had a heart attack. As we know, there are many other factors that play a role in heart health \u2013 including diet, exercise, and stress \u2013 but having good quality relationships goes some way to counteracting the effects.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
So if you\u2019re looking for ways to find friends, one I\u2019d personally recommend is to get a dog. After we got Oscar in October last year, we started to meet lots of dog owners in the park in the morning, some of whom have become very good friends.<\/p>\n
You can also meet new people by taking an evening class, or going to yoga, the gym, volunteering for a charity, or even by going to dance classes.<\/p>\n
You can also increase \u2018contact\u2019 by striking up conversations with postal workers, shop assistants, or by doing regular acts of kindness.<\/p>\n
So if you\u2019re considering some lifestyle changes because you want to be healthier, don\u2019t forget the importance of good quality relationships.<\/p>\n
As I once heard Patch Adams say (he\u2019s the doctor featured in the movie whose role was played by the late, Robin Williams), \u201cIf you want to be healthy, get good at friends!<\/i>\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Notes<\/strong>:<\/p>\nYou might find a couple of my related books of some interest:<\/p>\n
I covered the social network research, as well as how emotions and contagious from one person to the next, in my book, ‘The Contagious Power of Thinking<\/strong>‘ (Hay House, 2011). Amazon.co.uk<\/a> Amazon.com<\/a> Amazon.com.au<\/a> Amazon.ca<\/a><\/p>\nI covered the Roseto Effect, good relationships, and oxytocin in my book, ‘The Five Side Effects of Kindness<\/strong>‘ (Hay House, 2017). Amazon.co.uk<\/a> Amazon.com<\/a> Amazon.com.au<\/a> Amazon.ca<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I\u2019ve had a lot of help from friends and family recently, from having help with my latest book, to having supportive and encouraging conversations, to having help with moving house. Earlier this morning, I found myself smiling as I reflected on how grateful I am for having these people in my life. As I reflected…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2846,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,165,17],"tags":[160,11,49,12,26,86,163,15,231,40,24],"yoast_head":"\n
4 Reasons Why Having Friends is Healthy - David R Hamilton PHD<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n