Show your friends you love them.

You might think that Valentine's Day is pure cheesy schlock. But healthy relationships help you live a longer and happier life. Use VD as your cue to show a little love to the people your care about.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, which has been running for 84 uninterrupted years, has repeatedly found that healthy relationships have a significant positive impact on our physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. 

When interviewed recently, the current Director of the program, Dr Robert Waldinger, made some fascinating observations on stress and it’s relationship with relationships.

We know that stress is a part of life. What we think happens is that relationships help our bodies manage and recover from stress. We believe that people who are lonely and socially isolated stay in a kind of chronic fight-or-flight mode where, at a low level, they have higher levels of circulating stress hormones like cortisol, higher levels of inflammation, and that those things gradually wear away different body systems. 

So, what to do?

Tell the people you care about that you care about them. Spend some time with them. Be present with them. Pay them some attention. Be grateful for them. Be kind.

Not just today, or this week. Every week. By keeping our relationships alive and well we’ll all live longer, happier, more successful and less stressful lives.

---

We’re all a work in progress.

Upside Founder Programs help founders become the very best leaders for their businesses as they grow from Seed to Series B, and beyond. Apply to be part of Upside 2023 now. The next Sydney cohort starts in May with Melbourne starting in August.

Upside Founder Programs are proudly supported by KPMG High Growth Ventures and Microsoft Australia.