Reaching half a century is a milestone – a time when we’re wiser, calmer and more confident. But life may also feel at its most demanding. This is the age of the sandwich generation, when many of us are supporting elderly parents while raising kids – not to mention juggling jobs, partners and health issues. It is, quite possibly, when we need our friends the most, but friendships are often the ball we drop.
We may be too busy to maintain long-term friendships, especially if distance is a factor, or too tired to nurture new acquaintances. Yet research shows friendships should be a priority. Feeling socially connected helps us live longer, says Lydia Denworth, author of*. ‘Our bodies and brains are hardwired
