The social REMEDY

Get those catch-ups pencilled in! Socialising can reduce stress, boost brain power and help us live longer, happier lives

- JENNY ROWE

Ever felt like a new person after catching up with an old friend - the day's worries melting away as you reminisce and make future plans? There's a deep-rooted reason for this post-gossip glow. 'Connection is a basic human need,' says consultant psychologist Dr Elena Touroni (thechelseapsychologyclinic.com). 'Besides food, shelter and water, we need to feel a sense of belonging.'

Fortunately, at this time of year, there are more opportunities to connect than usual. Our calendars bubble with lovely occasions, ranging from the intimate to the overwhelming. But are all of these friendships and festivities equally beneficial to our well-being? We investigate how the brain reacts to different social situations, giving you more reason to put yourself out there this season because there's more to gain from a friendly natter, or even a stranger's smile, than you may realise.

WE'RE ONLY HUMAN

Even as tiny babies, our brains require interactions with other people in order to develop, says counsellor Gemma Campbell (kooth.com). This need for company served an evolutionary function, too - living and hunting in groups helped us survive.

'But it also creates difficulties,' says Ginny Smith, founder of braintasticscience.com. 'You have to keep track of who is a friend and who might be an enemy, and where you sit in the social hierarchy.'