Do you ever return from an outing with your friends feeling all happy and hyped? Do you ever wonder what Beyoncé, Oprah, and Taylor Swift all have in common? Well, apart from being very successful, they all have strong and positive friendships in their lives. Positive friendships and having good friends can truly have a significant impact on your personal development, including your physical and mental health, in addition to being enjoyable. According to studies, those with supportive social networks typically live longer and are happier. Wondering how? Let’s jump right in!
Here’s How Positive Friendships Can Help during Tough Times
We are sure that you have that one close friend like Batman had in Robin. Don’t they make all the difference when times get tough?
Improves Mental Health: According to research, those who have supportive social networks fare better in terms of their mental health and are more resilient in the face of hardship. Be it a hug or a lending ear, it’s better when you know you have a supportive friend around. Positive relationships can help lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, acting as a natural stress reliever. Additionally, talking to a friend can help us put our things into perspective and offer a fun distraction as well.
Not to mention, they help fostering a sense of belongingness. Being a part of a friendship group may motivate us to grow personally since we feel a part of something larger. Here, quality is valued over quantity. Even though making a variety of friends and acquaintances may be beneficial, developing close relationships with people who will support you makes you more secure in yourself.
Friends Feel Like A Booster To Your Immune System
Did you know that having positive friendships can actually boost your immune system? Studies show that having a good support system can help your body fight off diseases and illnesses better, it can do wonders for your physical health. According to research, feelings of joy and gratitude might promote good health. Plus, remember the time when you were too lazy and tired to go for a walk or workout, but you did so because of you had company? Positive relationships can provide us with the motivation and support we need to keep up healthy habits. It can reduce our chance of diseases like heart disease and diabetes, make us better stress managers, and bring a sense of purpose.
Here’s How Friendship Can Make You A Better Person
Positive connections can hold us accountable and give us the push we need to fulfill our goals. A study found that being a part of a social group is associated with higher self-esteem because people value and gain worth from these relationships.
Positive relationships can also present us with fresh chances for growth and learning. Our friends can push us to think differently and broaden our horizons by introducing us to fresh viewpoints and ideas. Don’t you think doing things with someone else makes them easier? Having a range of friends can broaden your capacity for empathy and teach you things about the world that you otherwise might not have known.
Positive relationships can lead to new networking opportunities as well. Also, on top of that, workplace friendships can enhance both job satisfaction, make work more fun and increase productivity. You can do more and better things with your friend if you combine your strengths and skills.
Here’s How to Keep in Touch
If you are wondering how to make new friends, here you go! Join groups or clubs that you find interesting, like a sports team or reading club. You might discover folks who share your interests as a result. Go to those social gatherings and make small talk. You can even use technology and meet people who have similar interests, such as social media and dating apps.
And how to maintain those friendships? Well, try to make an effort and stay in touch with your friends and check in with them. All you need is to make some time for them. Trust us, you need that energy.
Everyone deserves to have someone in their life who can encourage them when they’re down and share their achievements as well. Although maintaining friendships isn’t always simple, they can have a significant impact on your health and well-being. It takes work to establish and maintain healthy friendships. But friendship can also be comforting and enjoyable, so it’s worth the investment.
