The New York Times has a great article on the value and power of close friendships.  Studies show that stong social ties promotes brain health as we age and actually lengthen our life span.  Good friendships have been shown to help diminish the effects of cancer.  The longer the friendships often create even greater benefits.  

Interestingly, proximity and the amount of contact with a friend doesn’t alter the benefits.  What matters is that we have good, supportive, lasting friendships- whether they are nearby or not.  (This is good for me since I’ve moved several times and have close friends, whom I adore, all over!)

Rebecca Adams, a professor of sociology at UNC Greensboro, has found that “Friendship has a bigger impact on our psychological well-being than family relationships.”  Many of my clients discover that turning to a friend for support is more helpful than turning to family member- as family relationships are often messier (for lack of a better word!)

Take the time to nurture close friendships- wherever they are.  For more on finding and keeping good friends, what I call “wise friendships”-check out my article, Your Wise Friendships.