High school and college friends, friends from work, friends from raising children together, from neighborhood committees, from shared vacations -- sure, some of these bonds and friendships fall away as part of the natural cycle of growing and changing, but most women find new friendships to replace them. Women who don't find close friendships, who have trouble keeping up connections, need to make an effort to change those patterns.

Hundreds of research studies confirm that isolation hurts us and connection heals us through the same physical mechanisms as exercise and healthy diet. Blood vessels are measurably more elastic, the heart's ability to respond to extraordinary demands is higher, cardiac inflammatory protein levels are lower, and blood pressure response to exercise is better in more connected people. Their stress-hormone blood profiles are also measurably healthier than those of isolated people.

i believe this entirely- i was actually having a conversation w. my husband this weekend about maintaining friendships- i think it's so crucial.

We always need friendships no matter where they are...I have friends in different parts of U.S....and always keep in touch with them...I thinks like you too...It is very important for each of us...

Now I understand why Hugh Hefner is old, HAPPY, and healthy

I'm don't know Hugh Hefner....But if you understand that he is happy...let it be...but, I don't think is the same kind of friendships...it is?