We each spend up of 12full daysper year with our centre glued to our Facebook feeds . While that sounds like the precise opposite of healthy , a newfangled studypublished inPNASon Monday intimate that actively tame relationship on Facebook may really help you live longer .

Before you get too excited , this does n’t intend your doctor ’s going to recommend upping the amount of time you spend mindlessly scroll through your News Feed orFacebook stalk your ex . The field of study essentially confirms what wads ofother studieshave suggested for years : An active social life is good for your overall health and longevity . What ’s meaning is that now , those benefits can extend into your digital life as well .

The research was conducted using the profile of 12 million user between the ages of 27 and 71 ( made available by Facebook ) and life-sustaining record provide by the California Department of Health . Users with average - to - prominent networks of Facebook friends had a low-spirited mortality rate rate , as did users who used the site " jolly . "

Facebook activities imply that substance abuser interacted with their Facebook Quaker in real life ( like post and tagging friends in photos ) were also associated with lower deathrate , while more passive , online - only interactions ( like charge messages or like posts ) had no effect . likewise , receivinga lot of Quaker requests was associated with hold out longer – but sending out supporter requests was not .

Clearly , it ’s not justFacebookitself that ’s take in people dwell longer . Meeting new the great unwashed in literal life ( who subsequently add you as a Facebook Quaker ) and actively keep your friendly relationship ( face - to - faceandonline ) is the key here .

The study ’s methods were approve by several university and land brushup boards , but it should be notice that at least two of its authorshave penny-pinching ties to Facebook . One worked there as a research intern in 2013 , and another is presently employed in its research science department . Unsurprisingly , the sketch ’s writer stay inexorable that Facebook had no influence over the results .

Bottom line ? Keep your estimable friends confining , y' all .

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