Strong Friendships Can Slow the Ageing Process

Strong friendships can also have a tangible impact on physical health, including slowing the ageing process.

A study by researchers at Cornell University shows that a rich social life, including relationships with friends, family, and the community, can influence the process of biological ageing at the cellular level.

The findings indicate that people with a strong social network tend to experience slower biological ageing and better brain health compared to those with more limited social connections.

One mechanism is through what is known as the epigenetic clock, a biological system that governs cellular ageing.

Professor of psychology at Cornell University, Anthony Ong, explained that the quality of social relationships has a major influence on long-term health.

“Cumulative social advantage relates to the depth and breadth of an individual’s social connections across their life,” Ong told Real Simple, as quoted, Saturday, 7 March 2026.

“We identified four main aspects: warmth and support from parents during upbringing, connectedness with the environment and community, involvement in religious community, and emotional support from friends and family,” Ong said.

According to the study, a rich social network can be associated with lower levels of inflammation and a reduced risk of chronic disease.

Researchers found that people with strong social connections tend to have younger brain age than their chronological age.

This occurs because social interaction helps maintain cognitive function, stimulates mental activity, and provides essential emotional support for mental health.

When a person has good social support, the body tends to cope with stress more effectively and maintain balance in the biological system.