Friendship: Enriching life and improving health

What are the benefits of friendship?

Good friends are good for your health. Friends can celebrate the good times and provide support during the hard times. Friends relieve isolation and loneliness and give you the opportunity to provide the companionship they need. Friends are OK:

• Enhance a sense of belonging and purpose

• Improve happiness and reduce stress

• Enhance self-confidence and self-worth

• Helping you cope with trauma, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss, or the death of a loved one

• Urge you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise

Friends also play an important role in improving your overall health. Adults with strong social relationships have a reduced risk of many serious health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and unhealthy body mass index (BMI). In fact, studies have found that older adults with meaningful relationships and social support appear to live longer than their peers with fewer social connections.

How to cultivate friendships?

Developing and maintaining healthy friendships requires giving up. There is a time to give support and a time to receive support. Let your friend know you care and appreciate it, which can help strengthen your relationship. If you want to be surrounded by friends, you must be a good friend yourself.

Remember, it’s never too late to make new friendships or reconnect with old ones. Taking the time to make friends and build strong friendships may pay off with better health and a brighter outlook for years to come.