Social relationships affect not only your mental but also your physical wellbeing, according to a recent study.

Researchers from Concordia University found that those who managed to build a better support network were healthier overall. The proof is in their heart rates.

For the study, Jean-Philippe Gouin and his Concordia co-authors, Stephanie Fitzpatrick and Biru Zhou tracked a group of international students who experienced major social change following a move to Montreal over a five0month period. Participants responded to questionnaires that measured their social integration, as well as how lonely they felt. They also monitored participants' heart rates to detect changes in what's known as high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV).

"Other research has shown that individuals with a lower heart rate variability are at increased risk for the development of poor health, including greater risk for cardiac diseases. Therefore, decreases in heart rate variability are bad for you," Gouin said.

The study showed that immigrants who were able to form friendships and get involved in new social networks during their first five months in Canada had increases in heart rate variability, while those who remained socially isolated over time showed a decrease.

"In the weeks and months that follow a major move, people often find it hard to make new friends and establish a solid social network," Gouin added. "This study shows that such prolonged social isolation can have a negative effect on physical health by impacting our parasympathetic functioning. That applies not just to international students but to anyone moving to a new country or city or anyone experiencing major social changes."

Based on their findings, researchers concluded that a bigger friend base enhances physical health.

"The message is clear: Reach out to other people. The more quickly you manage to integrate socially in your new home, the healthier you'll be. It's easier said than done, but it's worth it," Gouin said.

The findings are detailed in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine.