The Benefits of Best Friends
Misty Copeland once said that, ‘anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.’ With the challenges many of have been facing the last few months, that support is needed now more than ever. Thankfully, days like ‘National Best Friend Day’ give you the perfect opportunity to reach out for that support to those who care about you the most. Give them a call, send them a text or surprise them with a videochat! No matter how you connect, the act of simply having a ‘best friend’ or ‘friends’ can help improve your mental and physical health in ways you may never have known, such as:
Being More Confident. Studies have shown that socializing with close friends can help you to increase your sense of belonging and purpose. It has also been shown that individuals were 15% more likely to be happy just by spending time with a ‘happy’ friend. Friendships can also help you gain a much-needed confidence boost by their praise, encouragement or just simply being there for you when you need them.
Kicking Out Bad Habits. Research has shown that close friends can encourage us to start or continue healthy, beneficial habits while stopping harmful ones that can ultimately lead to health issues such high blood pressure, obesity and depression.
Helping You Get Through Hardships. One of the most often overlooked benefits of friendships is simply having someone there for you when you need them. Without close friends to turn to when you feel stressed, those feelings can ultimately become unbearable. Studies have shown that when an individual experiences negative situations, a friend can help you cope with your emotions and feel better more than individuals dealing with that stress on their own.
