How friendship helps mental health?

People benefit from the connection with others. Friendship is one of the most valuable connections we can make with others. Friendships can benefit us in many ways. Having a friend speak with about things that we may not want to share with families can help us make choices and sort our feelings on important matters. Our friends may come running when we have a flat tire or when we need cheering up.

Friendship is a protective factor for mental health. Friends can keep us grounded, help us put things in perspective, and listen to us when we’re having problems. Feelings of isolation and loneliness have repeatedly been linked to depression and other mental health conditions. Friends can also help us increase our sense of belonging and purpose, improve our self-worth, help us cope through stressful life events like break-ups, encourage us to engage in healthy habits, and help reduce our stress.

Friendship isn’t just beneficial to mental health; they also play a role in overall health. Adults with good social support systems have a reduced risk of high blood pressure and unhealthy weight and tend to live longer.

When considering friendships, it’s important to remember that the quality of friendships matters more than quantity. The level of engagement we have with a friend is more important than having a large circle of friends. Nurturing friendships with investments of time and attention is important. Nurture your friendships with kindness by listening, sharing about yourself, and demonstrating that you can be trusted. Being available for your friends is another way to nurture and grow your connections.

If you feel that you may need to find new friends, consider:

• Attending community events
• Volunteering time with community organizations
• Accepting invitations when they’re offered
• Offering invitations to people you know for activities
• Try a new hobby or class to meet people with shared interests
• Spend time outside in your neighborhood to meet people who live nearby

It’s always a good time to make new friends, reconnect with ones from your past, or nurture the friendships you already have. Spending time creating good relationships pays off in health benefits, mental health benefits, support through hard times, and fun memories.