Study reveals that having a big social network can make you healthier. Citysocializer offers the solution.
Having a large network of friends can have tangible health benefits says a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science in the USA and services helping you to make new friends, like citysocializer, are already out there with the solution.
It seems that young people’s obsession with followers, likes and social approval is not just a manifestation of vanity, but might eventually lead to a healthier generation of people. With modern technology at their fingertips, young adults are constantly trying to connect and make new friends, while new services facilitating online and offline interactions are making this easier than ever.
According to the study, which examines the correlation between social relationships and longevity in various stages of life, the size of the social network surrounding an individual in their early adulthood can have significant benefits for their physical health. In other words, the bigger your circle of friends and social network, the lower the risk of social strain and physical disorders.
To be more specific, a big supportive social network can directly influence the functioning of your immune, neuroendocrine and metabolic systems, ie the parts of your body dealing with disease, blood pressure and metabolism.
Examining the possible outlets of young adults where they can gain that invaluable social acceptance and integration to as many groups as possible, there is no doubt there is a great variety of options available. From their immediate network of fellow students and colleagues to numerous social groups they can join and activities they can take part in, finding new friends and growing one’s network is getting increasingly easier.
In recent years this need of young people to connect online and offline has given rise to services helping their members meet new people and make friends, especially in times when they may find it hard to do so, ie when they find themselves in a new place, away from their former groups or even after a breakup. Young professionals who tend to move to the big capitals to seek more employment opportunities are a particular group of people suddenly finding themselves in need of a new social circle as fast as possible.
As a leader in the industry, citysocializer, has long recognised the need of people to grow their social network and has been helping individuals connect with each other online and offline basing its service around common interests, members’ location and social events across all major UK cities and New York in the USA. Members meet up regularly for drinks, dinners, cultural events in their city, sports and enjoy spending time doing the things they like with other likeminded people.
As part of the company’s constant data analysis of their users’ requirements, citysocializer has found results that confirm the findings of the recent study.
37% of people signing up to the network claim to have just moved to the city, closely followed by members who would like to meet more local friends in their neighbourhood at 26% and 15% of their members admit that their former groups have moved away, making them experience loneliness and isolation.
A significant number of members has also expressed an inherent need to keep meeting new people as they feel this is incremental to their personal growth and the best way to come in contact with new cultures and a variety of people.
It seems that young adults naturally experience this need to connect with their peers and form large groups; it may even be possible that this type of behaviour has been hard coded into our genes through centuries of human evolution, exactly because it can make us healthier and prolong our lives.
The study points out how the consequences of social isolation can be as big a risk for our health as diabetes, so it’s no wonder people are feeling the impact on their day to day life in the form of loneliness and depression, which makes their need to be amongst others quite essential.
Citysocializer’s founder, Sanchita Saha said: “Loneliness is seen as a thing for older people and there is still a big taboo about it. Research shows there is an epidemic of loneliness, and I think that’s especially the case in London.” It is important to address the issue and do something about it. In an age of on demand services, friends can also be just a tap on your phone away.
Joining a service like citysocializer to meet new people and make friends can be as vital as going for a run or cutting down on fats. If being around friends can make us healthier there is no reason not to take the plunge and go out.
You can read the full results of the study here.
To find out more about citysocializer and meet a new group of friends to go out, with you can sign up here.
