Friendships and non-intimate relationships play a major role in your overall well-being.
The root of why we develop friendships – relationships we have that extend beyond our direct kin – can be traced back to our evolution into modern humans.
In fact, studies done on groups of animals that had a structured hierarchy have shown the most important factor when it comes to survival amongst was the strength of the social bonds, how positively and well and regularly an individual animal interacted with other animals.
Let’s look at five reasons friendships are great for your health!
1. Friends promote longevity. In a meta-analysis of 148 studies, researchers found that “people with stronger social relationships had a 50% increased likelihood of survival than those with weaker social relationships,” as well that loneliness has been associated with a wide range of health issues, from increased risk of cardiovascular disease to higher prevalence of anxiety and depression.
2. Friends boost your sense of belonging and self-worth. Research shows that even one person seeing and accepting you for who you are fosters a sense of belonging and is associated with decreased feelings of depression and hopelessness.
3. Friends help stress management. Research has shown that friendships offer companionship and non-romantic intimacy that translates into less stress and increased life satisfaction.
4. Friends keep your mind sharp. Great friends will challenge you, push you (within reason) to take risks, and encourage you to meet your goals and chase your dreams. All these new things and opportunities help keep your brain flexible and encourage neuroplasticity.
5. Friends are a solid support system. Who you spend the most time with can directly influence your behavior, from the foods you eat to the exercise and lifestyle practices you engage in. By surrounding yourself with supportive friends, you’re reinforcing healthy decisions!
Believe it or not, when you create friendships that are aligned with your values and make you feel like your best self, you’re caring for a crucial aspect of your holistic health that will ripple out to positively impact other areas of your life.
Share this with a friend who has changed your life with their support!
