This will come as no surprise to women who have strong bonds with their friends, but friendship helps them to be healthier and to live longer lives — even more so than their relationships to their spouse or family.

“In general, the role of friendship in our lives isn’t terribly well appreciated,” said Rebecca G. Adams, a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. “Friendship has a bigger impact on our psychological well-being than family relationships.”

Among its benefits? People with strong friendships tend to get fewer colds, have lower stress levels, and can recover from catastrophic illness like breast cancer faster because of their friends. Close friends don't even have to do anything for us in times of need, nor even live near us.

I know who I go to when I'm blue — and when I'm happy. And apparently medical research approves. Karen A. Roberto, director of the center for gerontology at Virginia Tech, says "Friendship is an undervalued resource. The consistent message of these studies is that friends make your life better.” Click here to read more.

Photo courtesy of New Line Cinema