A recent study conducted by Canadian researchers has shed light on the benefits of face-to-face interactions with friends compared to texting. The study, which examined over 13,000 adults aged 50 and above, calculated a “friendship score” based on factors such as the number of friends individuals had and how often they made contact with them.
The results were clear: meeting friends in person at least once a week was linked to better physical and mental health outcomes than communicating through phone calls or text messages. The researchers suggest that this is because face-to-face interactions allow for deeper connections and understanding between individuals, leading to improved overall well-being.
Dr. Mallika Marshall, an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who serves as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV and practices at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, underscores the importance of in-person interactions in building and maintaining friendships. She advocates for the benefits of direct communication in fostering relationships and enhancing mental and emotional health.
