Research: Men need two boys' nights a week to stay healthy
Well, there you have it...
It's not rocket science that in any relationship we find that partners need some time apart from one another to maintain a healthy bond.
But it seems there has been some research dedicated to the amount of time men need with their friends for them to maintain good health.
Sounds intriguing.
The research revealed that men going out for boys' nights is essential to their well-being. But not just one night a week, twice a week.
"The study conducted by Robin Dunbar, a psychologist and director of Oxford University’s social and evolutionary neuroscience research group, determined that men must physically meet with four friends twice a week to reap the full benefits of male friendship." (HealthSpiritBody)
It's not a new concept to us that having a balanced lifestyle that includes time for friends, family, and yourself is good for your overall health, but this is certainly a good point of reference for those men that have difficulty justifying this to their partners.
"Benefits of strong male friendships include a stronger immune system, the release of endorphins, an overall decrease in anxiety levels, and (apparently) even higher levels of generosity." (HealthSpiritBody)
This information is gold if not platinum for men, as we just recently highlighted the importance of getting men to talk about their MENtal Health with Jane Linley-Thomas.
It was here that Vic Naidoo was able to share some valuable insight into his mental health and the importance of being aware of your state of mind.
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"Dunbar suggests that despite spending 20% of their day interacting through other means, men need to meet face to face to keep their friendships strong, and meeting for a few pints is the perfect way to achieve this." (HealthSpiritBody)
There is this longstanding notion that as we get older and garner more responsibilities we don't make time for friends. As much as this might be true, we are also moving into a chapter where men are becoming more cognisant of their mental health.
And rightfully so. This research comes at the perfect time for both men and women to acknowledge that taking time for their male and female friendships is a positive contributor to health as a whole.
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