Which is better? Family time or friend time?
One of the best ways to relax and destress is to spend some away-from-work time with those you love—this means family and friends. According to the experts, sometimes spending more time with family is good but sometimes the people closest to us seem…. a bit too close on a particular day? So it adds anxiety to the mix even if you're not having family tiffs, and who doesn’t sometimes?
So for family-cantered holidays—even long weekends like the February Family Day in most of Canada and President’s Day in the US—think outside the house for things to do and stay happy. And you can do these with family or friends (or both!) or even just you if quiet time is what you need.
Sharing fun and the other stuff
On vacation with friends!
Still, make some time for family time—because this is what memories are made of. Spend time as with the family members you truly feel at home with.
But add in some friendship time to the mix, especially with longtime friends. These are the people you can share anything with, good times or bad, because you've already faced so many ups and downs together.
The gift of life
Whether you spend your downtime with family or friends, “Reaching out means we are giving each other, literally, the gift of life,” says a report in (of all sources!) the Tri-State Livestock News.
We increase our chances in the longevity stakes when we spend more time with friends and family. According to JAMA Internal Medicine, 23 % of people who reported being lonely during the study period died within six years. Scary! But only 14% of those with regular companionship did in the same period. (Report Simplemost)
TIME Magazine says that spending time with friends can be as important (or more so than spending your relaxing hours with family. Quality friendships—with people you understand and get on with and vice versa—is especially important. As are friendships with spouses, children, and other family members. But the relaxation factor may be greater with longtime trusted friends, who have been through it all with you and know who you really are—and are still there because they love you, not because they’re family
The bottom line is that the more social interactions you have, the more impact this will have on your good health, wellness and your chances of a longer life. And smiling and being happy boosts your skin health and how young you look, too… stay tuned!
RENEW, REVIVE, AND REJUVENATE WITH MAXINE WARSH. YOUR SKIN WILL KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
