Friends at work make life longer

Are your co-workers your pals too? A new study revealed that good-natured office antics, water cooler chats, and friendly company of your co-workers can add years to your life.

Are your co-workers your pals too? A new study revealed that good-natured office antics, water cooler chats, and friendly company of your co-workers can add years to your life.

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In a study from Tel Aviv University in Israel, results showed that having friendly and supportive work-mates reduces the risk of death from any cause over a 20-year period.

The study involved 820 Israeli adults, who worked in different industries like finance, insurance, and manufacturing. Most worked 8.8 hours per day, and the subjects were followed for 20 years. The study revealed that people aged 38 to 43 were affected by their relationship with their co-workers. “Peer social support, which could represent how well a participant is socially integrated in his or her employment context, is a potent predictor of the risk of all causes of mortality,” the researchers said in the study. However, they did not find any connection between friendly bosses and long-term health benefits. Research found that working long hours can increase your risk of heart disease. Another recent study showed that people who work in poorly paid, demanding jobs suffer more mental strain than those who are unemployed.

To build camaraderie with colleagues, Readers Digest magazine suggests starting with a pleasant greeting in the morning instead of skulking. Also, don’t be afraid to engage in small talk, join office team sports, and ask others’ opinions regarding work projects.