New Study Suggests That Men Need To Meet With Their Friends Twice A Week To Stay Healthy

By Shehzad in Science and Technology On 4th January 2017

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Usually January is like the hangover month for the beginning of the year, when those of us who enjoy boozing try to go sober for a while or for a few days anyway. All this amid warnings about the dangers of alcoholism. It's no wonder people go teetotal.

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But the thing is, it might well be that giving up drinking is more irresponsible that cutting it out completely. A new study conducted by the University of Oxford has discovered that for men, going out for a few pints isn't just fun, it's downright essential. In fact, according to this report, us dudes have to go out twice a week by necessity. Finally; some good news at last.

I know, I can't believe my luck either. The study in question was conducted by Robin Dunbar, a psychologist and director of Oxford University's social and evolutionary neuroscience research group. Dunbar has determined that men must physically meet with four friends, two times a week, in order to reap the benefits of male friendship.

Benefits of these 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.

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Dunbar goes so far as to recommend guys "do stuff" while they socialise, and that going bar crawling for a night reinforces a sense of teamwork and camaraderie. "Bonds can be formed through a range of activities from team sports to male banter or simply having a pint with your pals on a Friday night," Dunbar states in the report.

Accord to the same study, one in three men in the United Kingdom can't find the time to meet with friends once a week, and 40% of men are only able to make a "guys' night" a weekly affair.

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Despite spending 20% of their day interacting through other means (all of which can be done on a smartphone), men need to meet face to face to keep their friendships strong, Dunbar suggests, and a few pints and a good chat is the perfect way to achieve this.

So there you have it. I always knew that going to the pub was better for your soul than going to church, and now I have the evidence to prove it.

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