Re: regular contact with others.

I usually avoid the Oprah show (not sure if those not in the U.S. are familiar with this -- it's a weekdaily talk show aimed primaially at women, with a general focus on "Personal Wellbeing" issues), but last tuesday, I happened upon it while this little tidbit of information was being discussed:

Men and women respond to stress differently.

In men, the primary hormone that floods their system when they are under stress is adrenaline, which (as most know) triggers the "fight or flee" response (Bruce clearly fled).

But in women, the primary hormone that floods their system when is oxytocin (which is also released during labor, to make the uterus contract, and aftward, to get the milk to flow -- both labor and a hungry baby is stressful, and so I guess the body figures "Why reinvent the wheel?" so to speak). Rather than fighting or fleeing, oxytocin triggers the "befriend or tend" response (love dat babe, and cultivate a circle of girlfriends who can babysit! ;-)).

Not having an outlet to respond effectly to adrenaline increases the risk of heart attack. And the same is true for oxytocin.

Women who have a circle of friends they can turn to are 60% less likely to die from a heart attack.

So not only does staying in regular touch with a good friend give you a safety net in case you do have a heart attack, it will mean that you are less likely to have that attack in the first place...

Just a thought...