What's the Secret to a Longer Life?

The answer might surprise you: Friends!
Say you've just lost your job. What's the first thing you do? Call your best friend ? Turns out that might be even better for you than you thought. Researchers are finding that friendships have a big impact on your health, well-being and overall lifespan.
One study found that older people with a large circle of friends were 22 percent less likely to die during a 10-year period than those with fewer friends. Other researchers discovered that having a strong social network could promote brain health as we age.
Even more interesting, feeling close to your friends may give you a different perspective on things. Researchers gathered 34 college students outside and asked them to estimate the steepness of a hill. Those standing with friends gave lower estimates, and the longer the friends had known each other, the less steep the hill appeared.
Why is it that friends, can make obstacles seem less daunting? "People with stronger friendship networks feel like there is someone they can turn to," said Karen A. Roberto, director of the centre of gerontology at Virginia Tech. "Friendship is an undervalued resource."
The bottom line: Friends make your life better. They provide support in tough times. They inspire you to make changes in your life, motivate you to set goals and cheer you on every step of the way until you reach them.