Friends are great. They have your back in the good times and bad, and you know they have your best interests at heart.
Having friends is one of the keys to living a long, happy life. Studies show this will improve your mental health, keep you happier for longer, and even keep you healthier for longer as well.
This is why you should have a friend. Have you ever stopped to think about why you should have a friend?
What are you missing if you don’t have a friend? You probably heard that you should have a friend. Many of your family members and even teachers say it; but what makes friendship so important?
Why is it important to learn how to be friends with others? In this article, you will see the benefits of having a friend and the reasons why you should have at least one.
What Friendship Means
You know what they say, “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” But what does that mean? What’s a friend and does everyone have one? The answer to those questions is yes.
A lot of people ask whether you can live life without friends, but the thing is that you can’t. Friends come and go individually, but the ones who do stay with you are there for life.
This is what friendship means: It’s an agreement between two people or groups of people to be mutually helpful or friendly; a state or feeling of being friendly; an association on terms of equality among persons having a common interest; and/or it’s familiarity or intimacy.
They surround us in our daily lives and fill many different roles. There are a lot of benefits why you should have a friend.
Benefits of Having a Friend
Having good friends allows you to experience life through another lens. It gives you someone who trusts your opinion and you can trust theirs.
Friends are there for each other no matter what. They know when you don’t need to be alone but yet when it’s time to be alone and indulge in your thoughts. This is an important reason why you should have a friend.
Whether you’re an only child, a middle child, or one of 5, everyone needs a friend. This is something I think a lot of adults don’t realize.
We are lonely on the inside and think that happiness is a destination that can be reached when we get there (residence, spouse, income, career, etc.).
Friends are your support network in life. They can be a wealth of information, but it’s hard to know what sort of benefits they would provide you.
Here are 10 benefits of having a friend that will hopefully encourage you to make some new ones and start using your existing friendships to improve your life.
1. You’re a better person when you have a friend
Having a friend makes you more caring, generous, and compassionate.
A 2012 study in the journal Psychological Science found that people who had been rejected by their peers were less likely to help others than those who had not been rejected.
But the opposite was true for people who had supportive friends — they were more willing to help others than those who didn’t have close pals.
The researchers behind the study said that this was because of “social comparison effects” — having friends makes us want to emulate them and act in similar ways, whether it’s helping others or taking care of ourselves.
2. Your friends improve your health
Your friends not only make you feel good mentally, but they also help improve your physical health too.
According to studies, having good friends reduces stress levels and boosts immune systems which means that we can fight off infections more easily than those who have no friends at all or not have enough friends.
Friends also help us live longer lives by helping us with our daily routines and giving us support when we need it most.
3. Your friendships lead to opportunities
When you have friends, you have a built-in support system that can help you through life’s challenges.
They’ll help you get through hard times, give you advice, and encourage you to keep going, which is especially helpful for people who are trying to achieve their goals.
4. Friends help you fulfill your dreams
Your friends will support you when times get tough and celebrate when things go well for you — both of which are essential for success in any endeavor.
They’re there when you need them most, so don’t be afraid to ask for help from time to time.
5. Friends allow you to get out of your head
People in a good friendship are always willing to share their thoughts and feelings, even if they’re not always so great or rational.
This is because friends tend to have a high level of trust and feel comfortable enough around each other that they can be vulnerable without fear of judgment.
Having someone close enough to tell your secrets can make all the difference in the world.
6. Better at handling conflict
Relationships go through ups and downs, but when you’re in a tight friendship, it’s easier for both parties to discuss their feelings without getting too emotional or defensive about them.
Friendship allows for clear communication where you’re able to talk through problems without being afraid of hurting each other’s feelings or being judged negatively for what you say or how you say it.
7. More life satisfaction
Having a friend can make you happier. In one study, researchers found that when people felt lonely, they were more likely to have a negative interpretation of their experiences.
But when they had close friends, they were more likely to have a positive interpretation of those same experiences.
Friends help us see the world through rose-colored glasses.
8. Feel less lonely and isolated
In our society, loneliness is often seen as a sign of weakness or failure. Lonely people often feel shame about their situation and try to hide it from others.
But lonely people aren’t actually weak or broken — they just need some connection with other human beings.
Having friends can help you combat feelings of isolation by giving you an outlet for expressing emotions that might otherwise go unacknowledged or unspoken in your daily life (and let’s be honest: most of us don’t get enough opportunities for this).
9. Your social skills improve
If you’re a naturally shy person, having a friend can help you become more outgoing and confident.
You’ll be able to make small talk with new people and strike up conversations without feeling awkward or nervous.
10. Reduce chances of mental decline and illness
Friendship has been linked to better health outcomes in many studies over the years, including ones on longevity and depression.
The most striking evidence comes from studies of older adults, who tend to become less socially connected as they age and may be especially vulnerable to loneliness-related illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease.
In one recent study involving older adults who had been followed for 20 years, researchers found that those with stronger social networks were less likely to develop dementia or other cognitive impairments later in life than those with weaker ties.
And although this is only an association (which means it doesn’t prove that being lonely causes these problems), other studies have also found strong correlations between loneliness and poor health outcomes such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
How to Identify Good Friends
Having friends is one of the most valuable experiences in life. A friend is someone who will listen to you when everyone else walks out of the room.
A friend won’t stab you in the back just for a little bit of cash. There are some people that you just click with. They’re easy to be around and make you feel comfortable.
Everyone is born friends with this kind of person, but life tends to change that as we get older. Have you ever asked yourself: How do I know if this new friend is a good friend?
Well, I have the answer. This guide will teach you how to identify good friends, what qualities they have, and why you should have a friend like them.
Whether you’re looking for more friends or just want to understand your current friends better, you’ll find what you’re looking for here.
1. You can talk to them about whatever you want.
2. They respect you.
3. They let you be yourself.
4. Your secrets are safe with them.
5. Friends will stand up for you, even when it’s hard.
6. A friend will call or text just because they are thinking about you.
Why You Should Have a Friend (FAQ)
Is it better to be friends first?
The answer is yes! It’s much easier to get to know someone as a friend before you move into the romantic zone.
You will have a better idea of what they’re like, their values, and what they’re looking for in a relationship.
That way you can decide if you want them to be your boyfriend or girlfriend before things get serious.
What is a friendship date called?
A friend date is when two people go out and hang out together without any romantic intentions.
The main purpose of a friend date is just to have fun and enjoy each other’s company — no pressure, no expectations, and no strings attached.
Are friends important in life?
Yes, they are. We need friends because they help us through difficult times and make us feel better when we’re down.
Final Thought
Hopefully, you have already begun to see some of the benefits of having at least one friend, but there are many more out there just waiting for you.
In short, if you don’t have at least one friend in your life right now, I strongly encourage you to make some time to add one today. You’ll be glad you did.
