"Maintaining a strong social network, especially one with healthy pals, improves your chance of living longer by 50 percent. It doubles your odds of surviving cancer and wards off colds. Friends may even reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease [because] supportive friendships can help you cope with stress, so you’re less likely to suffer its negative physical and emotional effects." —Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Brigham Young University and lead author of a research study on sports fans and health
