Unless they are taking your clothes, looking for the charger, or teasing you about something else, siblings can be helpful, in an aspect you never thought possible: Health!
- Protect your immune system
Healthy relationships with siblings increase your ability to fight viruses, even without symptoms. Stress hormones, catecholamines and glucocorticoids, in particular, have a negative impact on the immune system when you are sick. The higher the stress levels, the worse you feel. Fortunately, if you have strong social ties with your siblings or friends, you can somehow control your stress level, which can help you overcome an illness faster.
- They help you cope better with problems like depression
We often turn to our parents for help, but communicating with a sibling offers something completely different. You can talk to them more easily and find a solution together. When you have someone to talk to, cortisol levels drop.
- They prolong your life
People with weak social ties are more likely to die sooner than people with close ties. This may be because people close to us encourage us to take care of ourselves, especially when we are sick. You can argue with your sibling about worthless things like the TV dashboard, but you are willing to serve them with everything if they are sick.
Source: Huff Post, Health US, Bright Side
