Give the Gift of Friendship This Year

As we gather with loved ones this Christmas Eve, a new study reminds us that friendship might be one of the most valuable gifts we can give—or receive—especially as we age.

Recent research from the University of Michigan reveals how crucial close friendships are for the health and well-being of adults over 50.

In fact, by the time you finish reading this, don’t be surprised if you find yourself inspired to pick up the phone…

The nationwide study surveyed over 3,400 older adults and found that an impressive 90 percent of people 50 and older have at least one close friend, and three-quarters feel they have enough close friendships.

These connections are more than just emotionally fulfilling—they’re essential for health. Seventy percent of respondents said they can count on their friends for health-related support.

However, for those facing significant health challenges, the picture is more troubling. People who reported having fair or poor mental health were twice as likely to say they had no close friends, with 20 percent falling into this category.

Similarly, 18 percent of those folks with fair or poor physical health reported having no close friendships. Nearly half of those struggling with mental health challenges felt they didn’t have enough close friends in their lives.

“The relationship between friendship and health appears to work both ways,” explains Dr. Sarah Patterson, the University of Michigan demographer who worked on the study. “While friends can help support better health outcomes, health challenges can make it harder to maintain and nurture friendships.”

I was happy to see that the research revealed many ways in which friends support each other’s health journey. In fact, a remarkable 79 percent of respondents said they can turn to friends for emotional support. At the same time, half reported having friends who encouraged them to make healthier lifestyle choices, such as improving their diet or getting more exercise.

More than a third said friends had encouraged them to get concerning symptoms checked by a healthcare professional, and nearly a third received direct help from friends when they were sick or injured. In fact, 15 percent of respondents reported having friends accompany them to medical appointments.

Interestingly, the study revealed that men were likelier than women to report having no close friends. And folks 50 to 64 reported fewer close friendships than their older peers.

As we celebrate this holiday season, let’s take a moment to reflect on the importance of friendships regardless of our age.

So, remember, whether it’s a phone call to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, or reaching out to someone who might be feeling isolated, these connections are more than just socially rewarding—they could be crucial to our health and well-being as we age.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful, healthy, and friendship-filled holiday.

P.S. Battling the holiday blues? Discover how to protect your mental health.

 

View Sources

Sarah Patterson, Ph.D., M.A., University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, Insitute for HealthCare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Volume/Issue: December 2024, Published on: 12.12.24, healthyagingpoll .org