Being part of a social group can reduce the risk of suffering heart attacks and dementia and even prevent colds , according to a new work from the Australian universities of Exeter and Queensland presented at the British Science Festival .
The work refers to several previous studies, such as one published in early 2009 in Psychology and Aging that showed that after spending six weeks in a group , 73 seniors improved their memory by 12% .
According to Alex Haslam, from the University of Exeter,? We are social animals, who live and have evolved to live in groups; Being part of a group, from a soccer team to a reading club or a group of social volunteers gives us a sense of social identity.? And he adds that this is "essential to have full lives, and for that reason groups are crucial for health, mental balance and well-being."
His partner Catherine Haslam goes even further and suggests that health systems should "recognize the role that participation in groups plays on our mental and physical health." "It is much cheaper than taking medication, it has fewer side effects and it is more fun, " he adds.
