The Importance of Friendships and Their Impact on Well-being

Anna Bazhenova
Mar 4
3 min read

Everyone knows that having friendships is important. They help us feel happy, valued, and certain that we can rely on them to talk or have fun with. However, not many people know the scientifically proven benefits that friendships have on our health.

Firstly, friendships play a significant role in providing psychological benefits. When faced with troubles or hard tasks, talking to a close friend, one who is supportive, can help you feel a sense of relief, already improving your psychological happiness. But this is on an emotional level; is there any science behind this? There is. Friendships change the way we respond to stress. The sense of relief after unloading your problems is caused by the lowering of your blood pressure reactivity2. Knowing that you can trust someone to support you, physically decreases your heart rate when talking to them, allowing you to remain calm during stressful situations2. Friends also help you feel a sense of belonging, connection, and purpose, all of which are factors that boost happiness and prevent loneliness. This removes the distressing experience resulting from a perceived deficiency in social relationships3.

Secondly, friendships improve physical health. In a study examining heart diseases and strokes, researchers found that loneliness and social isolation resulted in a 29% increased risk of having a heart attack and a 32% increased risk of having a stroke4. This risk was reported to be similar to that of light smoking and obesity4. However, being in relationships and being connected to communities can lower mortality risk by 45%5. Friends can improve self-confidence, help you cope through difficult periods, and urge you away from bad habits. All these factors remove the feeling of loneliness, encourage positivity, and reduce stress which improves your immune system and therefore, physical health.

To conclude, friendships are not only important because they improve your mental health, but also because they provide countless advantages for your physical well-being. Do not worry if you are in a position where you feel that you do not have any friends. Being alone is far better than surrounding yourself with people who do not make you feel comfortable and valued. Additionally, having a few close friends, ones that you can share anything with, is better than having many friendships but none that are intimate. If you feel that you want to make new friends but do not know how, here are some general recommendations6:

Be confident in being yourself! If you do not get along well with someone, that’s ok; they are just not the right friend for you.
Be kind to everyone, regardless of whether they are your friends or not. Kindness and compassion attract people towards you7.
Have the courage to speak or text someone first. Do not be afraid of what they might think of you; most of the time, people are just as worried to reach out first.
Take up new interests and join new communities. Joining clubs based on your hobbies is a great way to meet people with similar passions.
Volunteer. Volunteering at charity shops or animal rescues is also a good way to meet other people with similar values.

Finally, according to a study published in 2020, people who have close friends are more satisfied with their lives and are less likely to suffer from depression1. Therefore, they are a crucial and important part of our lives.

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