This National Siblings Day, thank your siblings for boosting your health [Video]

Happy Siblings Day! If you have a brother or sister — and you probably do, since 80% of Americans have at least one sibling — then you know how important this relationship can be. While your parents, partners or friends might enter and exit your life at various times, your siblings likely will be around for the duration. And that’s great news, because many studies show that having one or more siblings is good for your health.

Siblings and Mental Health

More than three quarters of people with siblings report having a close relationship with them as adults. That’s a positive finding, because having a sibling in your corner can boost your mood and alleviate loneliness. When researchers surveyed older adults for a study published in Journal of Family Psychology in 2019, they found that siblings in warm relationships provided a strong source of emotional support.

Being able to talk through issues with close siblings can be a reliable comfort during challenging times. …