3

Close relationships

positively impact your health

According to Mayo Clinic, having close friends and family on whom you can count has

far-reaching benefits for your health. A strong social support network can be critical to helping you through the stress of tough times, whether you’ve had a bad day at work or a year filled with loss or chronic illness. The positive effects of a support network include:

􀂭 Sense of belonging. Spending time with

people helps ward off loneliness. Whether it’s

other new moms, dog lovers, fishing buddies,

or siblings, just knowing you’re not alone can go a long way toward coping with stress.

􀂭 Increased sense of self-worth. Having people who call you a friend reinforces the idea that you’re a good person to be around.

􀂭 Feeling of security. By reaching out and sharing yourself with others, you have the added security of knowing that if you start to show signs of depression or exhibit unhealthy lifestyle habits, your friends