Friendship is one of the most elevating aspects of life. Besides fun and connection, friendship can provide important emotional and physical support. Friendship also plays a central role in our overall well-being. Recent studies suggest, “People who value social relationships are likelier to be happy than those who value achievements in other life domains, such as education and career.” This highlights for us that while accomplishments in career and education are important, the happiness we enjoy from our social connections surpasses all our other achievements.
One of the great benefits of friendship is the emotional support it provides. Good friendships celebrate our successes and provide support during tough times. This support can provide us with belonging and validation, which is essential for our mental health. Research indicates that “the strength of family and relationships with friends is related to happiness and life satisfaction, directly as well as indirectly through an impact on health.” The positive connections of friends contribute to a more rewarding life. We know that we are social by nature. Relationships are important to our survival and happiness. A variety of stable and supportive relationships, at work, at home, and in our community, give us the support we need to cope with the challenges and stress we encounter in life.
Recently, while traveling for work, several friends provided support to me by attending my kids’ sporting events since I was unable to attend. Another friend picked up copies of the local paper that contained a picture of my daughter so that I wouldn’t miss it. These small acts may not have taken a lot of time but made me and my family feel like a part of the community. I appreciated this reminder that acts of kindness and friendship are not always large, expensive, or time-consuming but instead focused on connecting with or supporting each other.
Friendships are also good for our overall health. “Feeling connected socially has a positive influence not only on psychological well-being but also on physical well-being.” Having strong social ties has been linked to lower rates of anxiety, depression, and various health issues. Research shows that people with strong social bonds tend to live longer, healthier lives.
It’s important we recognize the value of friendships in our lives. The happiness derived from strong social connections can lead to a more satisfying life. By prioritizing relationships, we not only enrich our own lives but also create a support system for those we care about. We can let our friends know we appreciate their contribution to our lives in small ways. Regularly telling our friends how much they mean to us, being excited about their accomplishments, praising their hard work, greeting them warmly, and more are all ways we can regularly let our friends know we are there for them and are appreciative of them in our lives.
Written By:
Alisha Barton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Miami County, barton.345@osu.edu
Reviewed By:
Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu
Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Social connection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html
George, K., & Douglis, S. (2024, September 20). How to show your friends you care about them. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/01/1120550646/how-to-show-your-friends-you-love-them-according-to-a-friendship-expert
Song, I., Kwon, J.-W., & Jeon, S. M. (2023, July 13). The relative importance of friendship to happiness increases with age. PloS one. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10343095/
Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: a flashpoint for health policy. Journal of health and social behavior, 51 Suppl(Suppl), S54–S66. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022146510383501