The Real Health Benefits of Friendship

Was Taylor Swift on to something surrounding herself with her squad of best buds? There are real health benefits of friendship —having a few BFFs to confide in, celebrate, and grow with can positively affect your mental and physical health.

Friendship gives us a sense of belonging that helps us cope with all the bumps and detours we experience in life. And in our increasingly isolated culture, having a night out with the girls helps relieve stress and prevents loneliness. 

You obviously want to surround yourself with awesome people, but it can be harder to make new friends the older you get (mostly because of logistics, busy schedules and we’re creatures of habit). 

A 2017 Pew research study showed that over the past decade “the share of U.S. adults living without a spouse or partner has climbed to 42%”, which can contribute to the staggering statistics on loneliness. According to the Harvard Business Review, 40 percent of Americans report feeling lonely.  

So, while I know my single gals do not need a partner to complete their lives, the health benefits of friendships are essential for your well-being.

It’s no surprise that life is filled with surprises, but when you have friends you can lean on in times of conflict and trauma, like a bad breakup or divorce, losing your job or the death of a loved one, you cope with those situations much better.

Your BFF is also teaching you valuable social and communication skills. They challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone, and when you need it, they give you a much-needed reality check.

Seek out emotionally intelligent people. Friendship expert Jacqueline Mroz shares that these are the friends who remember the details you’ve shared with them and follow up with you to see how you’re doing. You want to avoid toxic friendships that are fueled by competition or are one-sided.

The best friendships are a two-way street, and so is their effect on your well-being.  In fact, your friendships may even be a “stronger predictor of health than having close family members.”

It makes sense; we spend a lot of time doing shared activities with our friends. If those activities are healthy and positive, we obviously benefit from that. With a solid social support system, you reduce your risk of depression, high blood pressure, and diabetes.

If you’re looking to meet new people, the best place to start is with your favorite activities.

It doesn’t matter what that is: yoga, painting, kickball, bird watching – but get involved with groups that excite you. You’ll meet more like-minded people that way. Volunteering is another great avenue to meet interesting people and have a new experience.

And don’t forget fitness wellness spaces, where you can make friends and work on your abs. Click here for my full breakdown. You’re less likely to indulge in one too many drinks on the weekends if you’ve got to meet your buds at 6AM pilates the next day. (P.S. Another bonus of our friendships is a reduced BMI and a longer life, so hit the gym with your best pal and make it a more enjoyable experience.)

Have you noticed the health benefits of friendships on your own mental and physical well-being? Let me know in the comments below!    

LOVE + friendship bracelets!