Why Some Older Folks (And Their Furry Friends) Keep Fewer Friends

Have you ever noticed how older folks seem to socialize less? Well, it turns out that there might be a good reason for this. Researchers from the University of Exeter studied rhesus macaques and found that having fewer friends can keep them healthier, especially as they get older. They measured something called "social centrality" to see how many monkey friends they had and how much time they spent together. Then, they ran a simulation to see if less socializing meant fewer illnesses. Guess what? It did! Older monkeys who spent less time with friends got sick less often. You might think, isn't socializing good for us? Isn't it a great way to stay connected and happy? However, as we age, our immune system isn't as strong. So, while younger folks can fight off diseases better, older ones need to be a bit more careful. It's like nature's way of saying, "Hey, it's okay to take a step back and not have as many friends when you're older. " But hold on, being too lonely isn't good for our health either. The World Health Organization has warned that loneliness can be as harmful as smoking every day. So, while having fewer friends can help us avoid getting sick, we shouldn't cut ourselves off completely. We need to strike a balance between staying connected and keeping safe. Think about it this way: having just the right number of friends can help us stay healthier. It's all about finding that sweet spot between staying social and being careful.