Friendshipscan enrich your life in countless ways.
Good friends teach you about yourself and challenge you to be better.
They encourage you to keep going when times get tough and celebrate your successes with you.
Verywell / Joshua Seong
They help you build community.
They encourage you to stick to healthy behaviors (and avoid unhealthy ones).
They also provide emotional support in tough times and create a buffer against stress.
The sense of community they provide also helps you to feel more connected to your greater community.
So cultivate those close friendships!
It turns out that your besties help you stay healthier, happier, and less stressed.
Friends Are Good for Your Physical Health
It turns out thathealthy relationshipsactually contribute to good physical health.
For example, your friends can help youset and maintain goalsto eat better and exercise more.
It’s much easier to get out and stay active when you have a friend by your side.
Emotional support involves offering comfort andempathy.
For example, friends can listen without judging,validateyour feelings, and offer words of comfort.
By checking in and standing by you, they help you feel less alone.
Research also shows thathappinessis contagious among friends.
Likewise, kids were half as likely to develop depression if their friends had a “healthy mood.”
Friends Help Build Your Confidence
Everyone has self-doubts and insecurities every now and then.
But having friends who support you plays a big role in building yourself-esteem.
When people around you provide validation, it impacts your ability to love and appreciate yourself.
Supportive friends can help you feel more confident by offering praise and reassurance when you’re feeling unsure.
They’ll shine a light on just how amazing you are and how much you have to offer others.
Friends Help You Beat Stress
Everyone goes through stressful events.
Spending time with friends can alsohelp reduce stress.
Friends can also help you cope with stressful situations.
As the song goes: “We all need somebody to lean on.”
The people we’re friends with have the power to influence our own values and character.
Great friends have the power to mold you into the best version of yourself.
They see you and love you for who you truly are.
Takeaways
The social support that friendships provide is vital to mental health and well-being.
Unfortunately, reports suggest that loneliness is at an all-time high.
According to one survey, 27% of millennials report having no close friends.
The good news is that quality is more important than quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many different components of friendship.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, 2023.
2023;18(1):e0280308.
2015;282(1813):20151180. doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.1180
Harvard Medical School.The health benefits of strong relationships.
2023;11(2):e001971.
Survey Center on American Life.
