Think about your five closest friends. What do they care about? Do they love the gym? Long walks on the beach? Maybe they smoke or are overweight. You should choose your friends wisely because they can have a big influence on your health.
Growing evidence suggests disease spreads through social networks. According to a U.S. study that followed 12,000 people for 32 years, if you have a close friend who becomes obese, your chances of becoming obese increase by 171 percent. And your risk of attempting suicide is four times higher if you have a friend who has attempted suicide.
Your chances of becoming happier increase if you are surrounded by happy people. FlairImages/iStock
