Relationship
«Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification» (Romans 1 4: 19, NIV
The neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky is well-known in the field of social sciences for his various studies on the behavior of mandrills (a species of monkey) found in the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. One of his observations was that, when there were violent groups of mandrills that were fighting or harassing the rest of the troop, the health and well-being of the tribe was clearly affected. Furthermore, the atmosphere was poisoned to such an extent that, when a male became the victim of harassment, he got frustrated and hit the females and even the younger mandrills.
Once, in one of these communities, there was a small group of males who were particularly aggressive. The little group discovered a trash can where a hunters’ hotel used to throw their waste. In that can, hunters threw beef that was contaminated with tuberculosis. The bullies prevented the other members of the troop to eat that meat and kept it exclusively for themselves. Eventually, they all died of tuberculosis. It was interesting to notice that, once the group disappeared, the other mandrills’ health (both physical and mental) improved significantly. It was clear that the presence of peaceful and kind friends promoted the general well-being of the group.
Apes aside, this type of behavior can also be found among human beings, where frequently there are bullies who threaten and even harass the most vulnerable. But when the evicted ones find support and advice from their loved ones, their health improved and their immune system became stronger. Bert Uchino and Wendy Birmingham, from the University of Utah (United States), developed a stress-buffering hypothesis about friendship. It states that friends create a very effective protection against stressful experiences and their presence improves both physical and mental health. More specifically, these researchers found that those who had a strong network of friends were protected against depression, anxiety, cardiovascular diseases, and premature death. In various studies, they proved that those who lived isolated or did not have good social relations were more susceptible to these diseases than those who lived in harmony with others.
The Apostle urges his to make an effort to «do what leads to peace and to mutual edification? Ask God today to help you do your part to pursue peace and mutual edification. According to science, this will bring you physical and mental health.
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Junior 2020
“A Cheerful Heart Is Good Medicine”
From: Julian Melgoza-Laura Fidanza
Colaboradores:Ricardo Vela & Emmanuel Tapia
