The secret to longevity may lie in what you like to do most in the summer.

There are those who have a busy social life from January to December, but there are also those (the majority) who can only be grateful if, with luck, they find a space every two weeks to meet up with friends and chat a bit about everything.

The former, in addition to being fortunate enough to have the opportunity to relax often with friends, which has a positive effect on their mental health , are also taking care of their physical health and, ultimately, investing in longevity. As for the latter, we'll soon see valuable reasons to replicate the behavior of the other group.

Feeling accompanied keeps our brain active and helps prevent cognitive decline.

Social behavior under study

The positive effects associated with social relationships go beyond individual intuition, as numerous scientific studies refer to the benefits of emotional ties for people's health.

One of these studies, published in the journal PLOS Medicine , asserts that social connections have a direct impact on our physical and emotional health. Specifically, people with a strong social network are 50% more likely to live longer compared to those who lack meaningful relationships. This is because social interaction stimulates the brain, reduces inflammation, and promotes the adoption of healthier lifestyle habits.

So, if professional or personal commitments prevent you from spending time with friends, try to do so at least when you have more time, such as during summer vacation. Going out with friends for a walk , dinner, or to the beach is not only one of most people's favorite activities, it's also one of the healthiest.

Making friends on doctor's orders

During days off, it's infinitely easier to create new emotional bonds, as well as maintain and strengthen existing ones. By doing so, we gain numerous valuable benefits for our physical and mental health, since "conversations, sharing experiences, and feeling supported keep our brains active and help prevent cognitive decline ," says general health psychologist Leticia Martín Enjuto .

According to the expert, "having a support network gives us the strength to face everyday challenges, reduces stress, and makes us more resilient in the face of adversity."

Furthermore, as a side effect, Martín emphasizes that "people who are well-supported tend to take better care of themselves: they exercise more, eat a more balanced diet, and don't neglect their medical checkups." He adds: "All of this, together, contributes decisively to a fuller and healthier life."

The brain likes to relate

The crux of the matter lies in the brain and how it behaves when we interact with others. “When we have pleasant experiences or share positive moments with others, areas in our brain related to pleasure and relaxation are activated, such as the prefrontal cortex and the so-called reward circuits,” the psychologist describes.

As a result, neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine are released, which are, so to speak, the "chemical messengers" of happiness. "Thanks to them," explains the expert, "not only does our mood improve, but the connections between neurons are also strengthened. In addition, the brain becomes more flexible and able to adapt to changes. Interestingly, gestures as simple as kindness, gratitude, or social support also stimulate these circuits, helping us feel better about ourselves and others."

In this sense, practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness help us calm the amygdala, which is the part of the brain that activates when we feel fear or anxiety. When we achieve this balance, "we become less vulnerable to anxiety and depression, and we are better able to face everyday challenges with serenity and confidence," the psychologist emphasizes.

The bill of loneliness

On the other side of the scale, we find loneliness. This, when not sought, “can also take its toll on our body,” says Martín. He describes the consequences of a lack of companionship on our bodily functioning: “When we feel alone for long periods of time, our immune system weakens , our body can become inflamed more easily, and the risk of problems like heart disease or diabetes increases.”

A string of conditions, to which others in the area of mental health are added. Thus, "a lack of social connection can affect our minds, facilitating cognitive decline and, in extreme cases, increasing the likelihood of premature death, with an impact as serious as that of smoking or obesity ," warns the expert.

On the contrary, “surrounding ourselves with people who support us and accompany us not only makes us feel better emotionally, but also strengthens our immune system, encourages us to take care of our health, and protects our brains, helping us live longer and better lives ,” he concludes.

Surrounding ourselves with people who support us and accompany us makes us feel better emotionally and strengthens our defenses.

Stop premature aging

If having company is accompanied by so many positive effects on physical and mental health, living longer should simply be the natural consequence of maintaining an active social network.

Now, "it's not just about being surrounded by people, but about having quality relationships where we feel supported, heard, and valued," the psychologist emphasizes. She adds: "Science backs this up: people who maintain strong social ties not only enjoy greater emotional well-being, but also have a lower risk of becoming seriously ill or dying prematurely."

Therefore, "beyond quantity, what matters is the quality and diversity of these relationships, as they help us manage stress, adopt healthier lifestyle habits, and, ultimately, slow down both physical and mental aging."

Ultimately, social support, according to the expert, "works as a kind of protective shield: it motivates us to take care of ourselves, stay active, and ask for help when we need it. Even renowned research such as the Harvard study on happiness and longevity has concluded that people with strong personal relationships are not only happier, but also live longer and in better health."

The older we are, the more we need them

This highly relevant role that social relationships have become especially important as we get older. “As the years go by, the closeness of friends and family becomes even more valuable. Feeling accompanied and supported by the people we love not only brings joy and meaning to our daily lives, but also helps us better cope with the challenges inherent in this stage ,” says Martín, who believes that “close relationships encourage us to stay active, remain motivated, and face the changes that aging brings with greater serenity.”

However, we shouldn't "clutch at straws," or, to put it another way, we should be extremely selective and strive for healthy relationships, that is, those in which " both people feel respected and valued, and trust and communication flow naturally," the psychologist points out.

“It's important to be able to talk openly about what we feel and need, knowing that we will be heard without judgment and that our emotions matter. At the same time,” the psychologist continues, “it's essential to find a balance between giving and receiving, respecting each other's limits and allowing both to grow both together and individually. Disagreements are inevitable, but in a healthy relationship, they are addressed through dialogue and empathy , always seeking constructive solutions and caring for the well-being of the other.”

Connected in person

It's clear that being sociable is good for our health. However, we can't ignore the fact that, for some years now, personal connections have been established through new technologies, and specifically, social media.

The question is how the benefits of personal relationships fit in when they're virtual. In other words, are they as healthy as in-person ones? Psychologist Leticia Martín doesn't completely rule out online connections, although she is somewhat reticent about it. "From my professional experience, I highly value the role that long-distance relationships or those through social media can play, especially when they allow us to maintain contact with loved ones who are far away. However, there's something unique about in-person encounters that's hard to replace: physical closeness allows us to capture small gestures, glances, and tone of voice—details that enrich communication and help us feel truly connected."

And it's in these nuances, which often go unnoticed in the digital environment, that the deepest bonds are built. Therefore, "although virtual relationships can be a great complement and offer support in times of distance, face-to-face contact remains irreplaceable when it comes to creating meaningful and lasting bonds," he argues.

Better alone than in bad company?

Whether at a distance of one meter or with a screen in between, it is clear that maintaining personal relationships, as long as they are healthy, can only bring good things for health, while "relationships that are negative for our emotional well-being usually leave a deep mark on those who live in them," warns the expert.

From her experience in counseling, the expert notes that these types of harmful relationships "are characterized by a lack of mutual respect, mistrust, and communication laced with blame, criticism, or even contempt."

Furthermore, "it's common for people in these relationships to feel insecure, undervalued, or manipulated, which can lead to anxiety, low self-esteem, and a sense of loneliness, even when they're in a relationship. Beyond the emotional discomfort, these dynamics often hinder personal growth and become a constant source of stress, affecting both mental and physical health."

So, “being in a negative or toxic relationship can do more harm than good , affecting our self-esteem, generating stress, and hindering our growth as people,” she concludes.

Considering all of the above, it seems like good advice to create and maintain personal relationships. Nowadays, making friends face-to-face can seem complicated with so many virtual interactions, but "it's still a very enriching experience for our emotional well-being," asserts the psychologist, who lists the following tips for building bonds with others:

• A good starting point is to encourage ourselves to participate in in-person activities that truly interest us, such as workshops, sports, volunteering, or courses. These spaces not only allow us to grow and learn, but they also connect us with like-minded people, making it much easier to start a conversation and find common ground.
• For those who are nervous or insecure about approaching new people, I recommend starting with small steps: a greeting, a smile, or a simple comment can be enough to break the ice. Setting achievable goals, such as introducing yourself or asking a simple question, helps you gradually build confidence and reduce your fear of rejection. It's important to remember that most people value kindness and tend to respond positively when someone is open and genuine.
• Deep friendships aren't built overnight, but rather with time, dedication, and small, everyday gestures. Listening attentively, showing interest, and sharing a little bit of ourselves are touches that strengthen any bond. If it's a bit difficult at first, don't be discouraged: every step forward, no matter how small, helps.