This past week, my wife had one of her friends visiting. Seeing the impact that this friendship has on my wife made me think about how friendship impacts our physical and mental health. Well, in my research, friends have a significant role in promoting overall health.
Benefits of friendship
Friendship can help with the following:
- Celebrating the good times and providing support during the bad times
- Prevents feelings of isolation and loneliness
- Increases your sense of belonging and finding your purpose
- Reduces your stress and improves your happiness
- Improves your self-confidence and value
- Helps you cope with traumas, such as loss of a loved one, serious illness, job loss, etc.
- Encourages you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits
Adults with strong social connections have reduced risks of significant health problems, such as depression, high blood pressure, and unhealthy body mass index (BMI). And, some studies have shown that adults with meaningful relationships and social support are more likely to live longer than peers without those friendships.
How many friends should you have?
It’s better to have a few good friends than to have many “friends”. It’s good to have a diverse group of friends, but fewer meaningful relationships may give you a greater sense of belonging and well-being.
How to meet new friends?
We can make new friends or nurture relationships we already have by:
- Staying in touch with people with whom you have worked
- Reconnecting with old friends
- Introduce yourself to your neighbors
- Reaching out to people you have enjoyed meeting at social gatherings.
Other ways of meeting new friends may include:
- Attending community events
- Volunteer your time at a hospital, museum, or other charitable groups
- Join a church or bible study
- Take up a new interest – join a gym or take a class
How to I keep and grow my friendships?
- Be kind. That is probably the number one behavior to nurture relationships
- Be a good listener. Ask questions about their life and interests.
- Share about yourself.
- Show that you can be trusted
- Be available for conversations, quick phone calls, and getting together.
As we grow older, we continue to have social and supportive needs, including friendship. Hopefully, you already have friends and you are supporting them as they support you. Call a friend today!!
Warm Regards,
Dr. Mike
References:
Loneliness and social isolation — tips for staying connected. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-staying-connected. Accessed Dec. 16, 2021.
Wilkinson A, et al. Maintenance and development of social connection by people with long-term conditions: A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; doi:10.3390/ijerph16111875.
Holt-Lunstad J. The major health implications of social connection. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2021; doi: 10.1177/0963721421999630.