Oxford, England (BBN) - Usually January is like the hangover month for the beginning of the year, when those of us who enjoy boozing try to stop drinking for a while… or for a few days anyway.
All this amid warnings about the dangers of alcoholism, reports urbanleak.com.
It’s no wonder people go sober.
But the thing is, it might well be that giving up drinking is more irresponsible that cutting it out completely.
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, us dudes have to go out twice a week by necessity.
Good news for all your barflies and pub nutters: a scientific study has proven that men need to go out and get drunk twice a week to stay healthy.
I know, I can’t believe my luck either.
The study in question was conducted by Robin Dunbar, a psychologist and director of Oxford University’s social and evolutionary neuroscience research group.
Dunbar has determined that men must physically meet with four friends, two times a week, in order to reap the benefits of male friendship.
Benefits of these 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 in the report.
According to the same study, 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.
Despite spending 20% of their day interacting through other means (all of which can be done on a smartphone), men need to meet face to face to keep their friendships strong, Dunbar suggests, and a few pints and a good chat is the perfect way to achieve this.
So there you have it. I always knew that going to the bar was better for your soul than going to church, and now I have the evidence to prove it.
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