Episode description

Social support is so important. It can even impact your physiology. 

[01:15] Friends make life good

[03:22] What is social support?

[07:40] How can social support make you happier?

[08:55] The biology of social support

[11:54] Hugs

References:

• Siedlecki, K.L., Salthouse, T.A., Oishi, S. and Sheena, J. (2014) The Relationship Between Social Support and Subjective Well- Being Across Age. Social Indicators Research, 117, 561-576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-013-0361-4
• Hooker, E.D., Zoccola, P.M., and Dickerson S.S. (2018). Toward a Biology of Social Support. In Snyder,  C.R., Lopez, S.J., Edwards, L.M., and Marques, S.C. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (3rd ed.), doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199396511.013.41 
• Cohen, S., Janicki-Deverts, D., Turner, R.B., & Doyle, W.J. (2015). Does hugging provide stress-buffering social support? A study of susceptibility to upper respiratory infection and illness. Psychological science, 26(2), 135-47 .