Are friends good for your health?

Are friends good for your health?

From What's Up Docs? by BBC Radio 4

June 9, 2026 · 29 min · Episode 148

About this episode

The episode explores the impact of friendships on physical health and how to maintain social connections.

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, the Docs take a look at the impact our friendships have on our physical health. Why different friendship styles are important and how we can maintain and nurture our social connections. Joining them is Dr Tiffany Watt Smith, a writer and cultural historian interested in the histories of emotion and medicine. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Tiffany Watt Smith Producer and researcher: Faye Lyons-White Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Ruth Rainey At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

People in this episode

Hosts: Chris van Tulleken, Xand van Tulleken

Guest: Tiffany Watt Smith

Topics covered

  • friendship
  • health
  • social connections
  • wellbeing
  • emotions

Keywords

  • friendship
  • health
  • wellbeing
  • social connections
  • emotions
  • Tiffany Watt Smith

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC Radio 4, Loftus Media

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