In today\u2019s fast-paced culture of busyness, it can be hard to carve out a few minutes for yourself every day, let alone time to connect with friends. But if you want to be a healthier person\u2014mentally, emotionally, and physically\u2014it turns out, making friendships a priority is one of the best things you can do.<\/p>\n
\u201cFriendships have started to be viewed as a \u2018luxury\u2019 in our society; as something we get to [experience] if we have left over time in our schedules,\u201d says Gina Handley Schmitt, therapist, friendship coach, and author of Friending: Creating Meaningful, Lasting Adult Friendships<\/em>. \u201cHowever, more research is revealing that meaningful friendships are actually supremely important for\u2026our mental, [physical], and emotional health.\u201d<\/p>\n In honor of National Friendship Day, let\u2019s take a look at some of the ways your friendships can make you a healthier person and how to cultivate stronger friendships (and become happier and healthier in the process):<\/p>\n Happiness is a key element of health\u2014and when it comes to friendships, happiness is literally<\/em> contagious. A Harvard study found that when a person becomes happy, their friends\u2019 chance of experiencing happiness increases by 25 percent. And the happiness impact doesn\u2019t stop there; the same study found that one person\u2019s happiness can spread through their network by up to three degrees\u2014impacting their friends, their friends\u2019 friends, and<\/em> even their friends\u2019 friends\u2019 friends.<\/p>\n So, not only can your own<\/em> friendships make you a happier person, but the ripple effect of your friends\u2019 friendships (and your friends\u2019 friends\u2019 friendships) can give you a happiness boost as well.<\/p>\n When you spend time with your friends, their habits and behaviors tend to rub off on you\u2014including the choices they make that impact their health. One 2019 study found a statistically significant link between an individual\u2019s health and wellness (for example, stress levels, diet, and exercise habits) and their social network\u2019s health and wellness.<\/p>\n Or, in other words, if your friends live a healthy lifestyle, you\u2019re more likely to live that healthy lifestyle right along with them.<\/p>\n People want to feel like they belong to something meaningful and bigger than themselves\u2014and strong friendships can provide that sense of belonging. \u201cFriendships\u2026provide us with a place of connection, belonging, and community. People to laugh with. People to cry with. People to celebrate with. People to play with. People to share the best and worst of life with,\u201d says Handley Schmitt. \u201cWe need these people in our lives to provide encouragement, solidarity, and care.\u201d<\/p>\n The experience of belonging you get from solid friendships can also have a positive impact on your mental health. Research has found that a sense of belonging can decrease feelings of depression and hopelessness.<\/p>\n \u201cFeeling estranged and alienated from others can have a negative impact on our mental health,\u201d says Glenda D. Shaw, author of the upcoming book Better You, Better Friends: A Whole New Approach to Friendship<\/em>.<\/p>\n And not only can loneliness be tough on your mental health, but it can also wreak havoc on your physical health and overall well-being. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation are correlated with a significantly higher risk of early mortality\u2014between 26 and 32 percent. And research outlined by the Health Resources & Services Administration found that loneliness can be as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.<\/p>\n Clearly, loneliness can take a toll on your health. But when you have friends that love and support you\u2014and spend time with you\u2014it can help keep loneliness (and the negative health impacts that go along with it) at bay.<\/p>\n Clearly, making friends\u2014and maintaining those relationships\u2014is a must if you want to be your happiest, healthiest self. But it can be hard to find time to make new friends\u2014or to prioritize the friendships you already have.<\/p>\n Here are a few tips to help you navigate friendships as an adult (and reap the health-boosting benefits in the process):<\/p>\n Put yourself out there with like-minded people.<\/strong> Friendships typically flourish when you have something in common. So, if you\u2019re on the market for new friends, try putting yourself in situations where you\u2019ll meet people you have a lot in common with. \u201cIt\u2019s important, at any age, to form new friendships with people who reflect our personal interests and hobbies,\u201d says Shaw. \u201cIf you love books, join a book club through your local library; [if you love] hiking, become a volunteer guide at a local park; [if you love] acting, offer your skills at a local theater company.\u201d<\/p>\n Make an effort.<\/strong> It doesn\u2019t matter how great a friendship is; if you don\u2019t actively work to keep the friendship moving forward, eventually, it will disappear. If you want to keep your friendships going strong, you need to make an effort. \u201cTo keep\u2026friendships strong, you have to maintain them,\u201d says Shaw. \u201cConnect regularly, return calls, and respond to emails.\u201d<\/p>\n Prioritize the right friendships.<\/strong> Not all friendships are created equal\u2014and not all friendships are going to make you a healthier person. Prioritize the friendships that make you feel loved, appreciated, and supported. And the friendships that don\u2019t? Do yourself (and your health!) a favor and let them go.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important to acknowledge that not all friendships contribute in healthy ways to our lives,\u201d says Handley Schmitt. A friend \u201cwho regularly makes us feel devalued, disrespected, or in danger is not someone who is contributing positively to our lives\u2014and we have permission to take a step away from any relationship that is chronically unhealthy.\u201d<\/p>\n This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n \t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\tDeanna deBara is a freelance writer based in Portland, OR. She covers a wide range of wellness topics, including fitness, nutrition, relationships, and mental health. Her work has appeared on Greatist, Men’s Health, Ravishly, The Fix, What’s Good by The Vitamin Shoppe, and more.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\nHappy friends can increase your happiness<\/h2>\n
Friends can help you make healthier choices<\/h2>\n
Friendships give you a sense of belonging<\/h2>\n
Friendships keep loneliness at bay<\/h2>\n
Tips for navigating friendships as an adult<\/h2>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tDeanna deBara\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n
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