A 2013 study from the University of Oxford suggests that regular gatherings with friends, particularly for men, contribute significantly to good health. 

Conducted by psychologist Robin Dunbar, the research indicates that men should engage in social activities with friends at least twice a week to fully benefit from male friendship. 

The study emphasises the positive impact of activities like having a pint or engaging in team sports, asserting that meeting up twice a week with the four closest friends is crucial for maintaining strong bonds.

Benefits of regular social interactions among men include a stronger immune system, increased endorphin release, reduced anxiety levels, and heightened generosity. 

The study highlights that maintaining such friendships helps prevent depression linked to financial and job insecurities, and individuals with strong social connections tend to recover more swiftly from illnesses.

However, the study reveals that a significant portion of men, around 40%, struggle to incorporate frequent male bonding into their routines, with only a weekly occurrence for many. 

Dunbar suggests that despite spending 20% of their day interacting through other means, face-to-face meetings are essential for sustaining robust friendships, and socialising over a few beers serves as an effective means of achieving this.

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