January generally marks the month of New Year’s Resolutions – many times including the vow to swear off alcohol.
But, hold on. Don’t move too quickly.
A new study conducted by the University of Oxford has discovered that for men, going out for a few pints isn’t just fun, it’s downright essential.
In fact, according to this report, men should go out twice a week by necessity to stay healthy.
The study, conducted by Robin Dunbar, a psychologist, and director of Oxford University’s social and evolutionary neuroscience research group, determined that men must physically meet with four friends, two times a week, in order to reap the full benefits of male friendship.
Benefits of strong male friendships include a stronger immune system, the release of endorphins, an overall decrease in anxiety levels, and (apparently) even higher levels of generosity.
Dunbar goes so far as to recommend guys “do stuff” while they socialize, and that going bar crawling for a night reinforces a sense of teamwork and camaraderie.
“Bonds can be formed through a range of activities from team sports to male banter — or simply having a pint with your pals on a Friday night,” Dunbar states.
According to the same study, most men get far less male bonding time than what they require. One in three men in the United Kingdom can’t find the time to meet with friends once a week, and 40% of men are only able to make a “guys’ night” a weekly affair.
Multi-ethnic group of young men chatting and drinking beer on a rooftop party.
Dunbar suggests that despite spending 20% of their day interacting through other means, men need to meet face to face to keep their friendships strong, and meeting for a few pints is the perfect way to achieve this.
So there you have it.
An apparent free pass for the men twice a week, and an opportunity for the ladies to have a couple of nights off from the old man!
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