Good friends matter in ways you may not expect. It turns out that strong social relationships can improve your health in the long term. When you show care for others, your body is flooded with hormones that relieve stress. And the help and advice of good friends can improve the quality of your life, as well as how long you live. That's true for both the giver and the receiver; both having good friends and being a good friend in return can improve your chances of living a longer life.