3. Passage 17 Since we are social beings， the quality of our lives depends in large measure on our interpersonal relationships. One strength of the human conditions is our tendency to give and receive support from one another under stressful circumstances. Social support consists of the exchange of resources among people based on their interpersonal ties. Those of us with strong support systems appear better able to cope with life changes and daily hassles. People with strong social ties live longer and have better health than those without such ties. Studies over a range of illnesses， from depression to heart disease， reveal that the presence of social support helps people fend off illness， and the absence of such support makes poor health likely. Social support cushions stress in a number of ways. First， friends， relatives， and co-workers may let us know that they value us. Our self-respect is strengthened when we feel accepted by others despite our faults and difficulties. Second， other people often provide us with informational support. They help us to define and understand our problems and find solutions to them. Third， we typically find social companionship supportive. Engaging in leisure-time activities with others helps us to meet our social needs while at the same time distracting us from our worries and troubles. Finally， other people may give us instrumental support ― financial aid， material resources and needed services — that reduces stress by helping us resolve and cope with our problems. Which of the following is closest in meaning to the word ―cushions‖ (Para. 2) ( )?