Can we be friends?

My mother advised me years ago that a few good friends -- those you can count on -- is all we need. I'm reminded of that adage when I read a new study that relationships lacking strong connections -- common in online communities -- can result in feelings of detachment and even health problems such as poor sleep and high stress.

Close relationships with friends and family members looked like the most important factor in staving off loneliness, the U of Arizona researcher concluded. Optimal health is achieved by a combination of caring for ourselves physically, and through fostering and maintaining close relationships with others.