Social Intelligence - Daniel Goleman

"As Cohen told me, "The most striking finding on relationships and physical health is that socially integrated people -- those who are married, have close family and friends, belong to social and relgious groups, and participate widely in these networks -- recover more quickly from disease and live longer. Roughly eighteen studies show a strong connection between social connectivity and mortality."

Devoting more time and energy to being with people in our lives whom we find most nourishing, Cohen says, has health benefits. he also urges patients, to the extent possible, to reduce the number of emotionally toxic interactions in their day, while increasing the nourishing ones."

Social Intelligence (2006), p. 247.