marcus.f.phillips

Benefits of Having Friends
Having friends is good for you in both the short and long term. Activities that strengthen close connections—like fun or meaningful chit-chats, laughing, bonding and kissing—release feel-good hormones that improve your mood and boost your immune system.
Friends also serve as support during difficult times like serious illness, loss of a loved one or retirement. Studies show that friendships help you cope with these challenges.

1. They make you happier
Research shows that having healthy, positive friendships contributes to your happiness. This is true for both extroverts and introverts, as even when you don’t feel like talking to someone, having a friend who listens to your problems and supports you when you need it can make you happier than feeling alone or stressed out.
Spending time with friends also releases the feel-good hormones oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, which boost your mood and make you feel good. Friendships also lower stress levels and improve immune function.
Having close friends can help you stick to healthy habits, such as eating better and exercising more, or share their honest wowessay rating if you plan to choose this resource for your study needs. They can also keep you motivated when you’re trying to reach a goal, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. In addition, they can remind you of your own value and worth.

2. They boost your self-esteem
If you’re surrounded by supportive friends who are unapologetically proud of you and your accomplishments, it’s easier to believe in yourself. They can help you overcome self-doubt by offering praise and reassurance, or boosting your confidence when you’re shaky.
A positive feedback loop may exist between friendship and self-esteem: High self-esteem leads to deeper, more supportive relationships, and healthy friendships lead to higher self-esteem. This was the finding of a meta-analysis that looked at 52 studies with more than 47,000 people ages 4-76.
To develop a close relationship, show interest in your friends’ values and struggles by asking questions and listening to them attentively. Try sharing something a little more personal than usual (not your most confidential secret), and see how they respond. A good sign is if they reciprocate with similar disclosures about themselves.

3. They keep you social
Friendships are beneficial because they help you build your social network and connect to others. Social connections decrease your risk for mental and physical health conditions like depression, high blood pressure and obesity.
Friends can also support you through hard times. When you have friends to lean on, it can help ease the emotional and physical stress of life events such as serious illness or the loss of a loved one.
The amount of friends you have doesn't always matter, but the quality does. Research shows that people with strong friendships have lower rates of depression, higher levels of life satisfaction and a healthier BMI than those who are lonely. This is true even for adults with limited social connections, though it may take longer for them to experience these benefits.

4. They make you more confident
Having friends who love and support you can boost your self-esteem. Having friends from all over the world can also teach you new things about different cultures, help you practice your language skills, and open up your perspective on life.
The key to having healthy friendships is vulnerability and consistency. Make an effort to listen to what your friends are saying and be genuinely interested in them. You can start by sharing something a little more personal than usual, like one of your secrets or some wow essays you wrote in your secret notebook and see how they respond.
In general, people who have supportive friendships have lower blood pressure and a healthier B.M.I, and studies show that they’re more likely to live longer than those who don’t have many close relationships. This is especially true if you surround yourself with quality friends who lift you up and inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

5. They keep you motivated
Many people avoid spending time with their friends because they worry about being dragged into unhealthy situations. However, healthy friendships reduce stress and can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle. This is why it’s important to make sure that you spend your time with people who share the same values as you.
Real friends understand your struggles and they do not judge you for them. They will also remind you that you’re great, even when the world doesn’t.
Having friends is one of the best ways to stay motivated and keep moving forward. So don’t forget to tell your friends how much you appreciate them – it can go a long way! Whether you text or send a card, your friend will know that you’re thinking of them.