Social ties are the most important resource human beings have. Although other people can be difficult and challenging, they can also provide protection, solace, and social support, among other benefits. However, some relationships can be toxic and because these adverse conditions can be physiologically taxing, they can negatively affect both mental and physical health. Changes such as these can operate in large part through alterations in the sympathetic nervous system, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, and the immune system. Much of the benefit of social support is perceptual and stems from the comfort of believing that supportive others can or will be there when times are stressful. The abilities to gain and perceive social support begin early in life and are heavily influenced by the climate of the family. Social support depends, in part, on reciprocity, yet many challenges to receiving support exist. Giving support to others has its own psychological and physiological benefits, although at intense levels, such as demanding caregiving responsibilities, these benefits dwindle. Moreover, social support needs change over time with changing circumstances. Public policy efforts to help people build and capitalize on their potential support networks is essential to maximize the impact of social ties on mental and physical health.

中文翻译：

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社会关系如何保护？

社会关系是人类拥有的最重要的资源。尽管其他人可能会遇到困难和挑战，但他们也可以提供保护、安慰和社会支持，以及其他好处。然而，一些关系可能是有毒的，并且由于这些不利条件可能会给生理带来负担，它们会对心理和身体健康产生负面影响。诸如此类的变化在很大程度上可以通过交感神经系统、下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺系统和免疫系统的改变来发挥作用。社会支持的大部分好处是感性的，源于相信在压力大时支持他人能够或将会在场的安慰。获得和感知社会支持的能力在生命的早期就开始了，并且在很大程度上受到家庭气氛的影响。社会支持取决于，在某种程度上，在互惠方面，在获得支持方面存在许多挑战。向他人提供支持有其自身的心理和生理益处，尽管在高强度水平上，例如要求照顾责任，这些益处会逐渐减少。此外，社会支持需求会随着环境的变化而变化。帮助人们建立和利用其潜在支持网络的公共政策努力对于最大限度地发挥社会关系对身心健康的影响至关重要。