Snehashish roy
Not all friendships are beneficial, and a new study suggests that certain people in your social circle could be silently harming your health. Researchers have found that so-called “hasslers” — individuals who consistently create stress, conflict, or emotional strain — may actually accelerate biological ageing.
The study highlights how the quality of relationships matters far more than the quantity. While friendships are generally associated with better mental and physical health, the presence of negative or draining individuals can have the opposite effect. These “hasslers” may include difficult friends, demanding colleagues, or even family members who repeatedly cause stress.
According to the findings, each additional “hassler” in a person’s social network is linked to a measurable increase in biological ageing. In fact, having just one such individual in your life can speed up ageing by about 1.5%, which roughly translates to an additional nine months in biological age. This effect compounds over time, meaning multiple stressful relationships could significantly impact long-term health.
The reason behind this lies in how the body responds to stress. Constant exposure to interpersonal tension triggers the release of stress hormones like cortisol. Over time, this can lead to chronic inflammation, weakened immunity, and increased risk of diseases such as heart conditions and metabolic disorders. Unlike short-term stress, which the body can recover from, ongoing social stress creates a persistent strain that affects cellular ageing.
Interestingly, the study found that not all relationships carry the same weight. “Hasslers” are often not the closest individuals in one’s life but may exist on the periphery — acquaintances, extended family members, or colleagues. Despite being less central, their repeated negative interactions can still have a significant cumulative effect.
Another key finding is that these stressful relationships may impact mental health alongside physical wellbeing. People with more “hasslers” in their lives reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and overall dissatisfaction. This suggests that emotional stress and physical ageing are closely linked, reinforcing the idea that mental wellbeing is crucial for long-term health.
However, the study does not suggest cutting off all difficult relationships entirely. Experts acknowledge that avoiding certain individuals may not always be practical, especially when they are family members or coworkers. Instead, they recommend setting clear boundaries, limiting exposure where possible, and strengthening positive relationships to counterbalance the negative effects.
Building a supportive social network can act as a protective factor. Positive interactions help reduce stress, improve emotional resilience, and even contribute to longer life expectancy. In contrast, consistently negative interactions create a burden that accumulates over time, often without individuals fully realising the impact.
The findings also serve as a reminder to reassess social environments. Many people prioritise maintaining relationships without considering their long-term effects on wellbeing. This research suggests that evaluating the emotional cost of certain connections may be just as important as maintaining them.
In today’s fast-paced world, where stress is already a constant, the added burden of difficult relationships can quietly take a toll. Recognising “hasslers” and managing their impact could be a crucial step towards healthier ageing.