Here’s one reason why social networking matters. A new study suggests that having a large social network size minimizes pain and anxiety before and after surgical operations.

Published on The Journal of the American College of Surgeon, this study aims to validate the role of social connectedness to overall health and well-being. It involves 605 patients scheduled for abdominal or chest operations.

Those who have large network of family and friends had “lower preoperative pain intensity, unpleasantness, and state and trait anxiety.” On the other hand, those who have smaller social network stayed longer on the hospital.

Though it tackles social networking in general (online and offline), the study validates the age-old importance of human relationship and our desire to belong.

via NYT

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