The Joy of Friendship - Dr Sangeetha Madhu and Sanjhna Shetty

         The American Psychological Association defines friendship as a voluntary relationship between two or more people that is relatively long-lasting and in which those involved tend to be concerned with meeting the others’ needs and interests as well as satisfying their own desires. They develop through shared experiences, marked by interdependence and voluntary interactions. Friendships occupy a critical aspect of one’s emotional well-being. Research states that adults with strong social support have a reduced risk of health problems, which includes depression, high blood pressure and high body mass index (BMI).

The science of friendship

According to Harvard Health Publications, “social connections help relieve harmful levels of stress, which can harm the heart’s arteries, gut function, insulin regulation, and the immune system”. Friendship is influenced by individual factors such as social skills, approachability, similarity and proximity and environmental factors such as life events, geography and activities. Research states that friendships are as important as diet and exercise. One of the most crucial factors for survival and reproductive success is the strength of the social connections we make. The science of friendship states that we should invest in relationships that carry strong bonds as we are social beings who cannot do well with isolation. The basic structure of how to form friendships include open body language, good listening skills, trust and disclosure, making time for one another, forgiving and apologising when necessary, etc.

Benefits of friendship

·         Increase sense of purpose and belongingness

·         Reduce stress and boost happiness

·         Assists in improving self-confidence and self-worth

·         Encourages one to avoid or change unhealthy lifestyle patterns

·         Prevent loneliness and isolation

·         Help in attainment of goals

·         Helps cope with traumatic experiences such as death, chronic illness, divorce, etc.

Friendships, old or new, is a form of an investment which pays off in better overall health and well-being. It requires effort and nurturance. Older adults, with a rich social life live longer than those with fewer connections. No matter what age, it is never too late to form new bonds. Friendships encourage individuals to be a better version of themselves.

 

References

APA Dictionary of Psychology. Dictionary.apa.org. Retrieved 8 May 2021, from https://dictionary.apa.org/friendship.

The health benefits of good friends. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 8 May 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860.

The Benefits of Friendship. Inspiyr.com. Retrieved 10 May 2021, from https://inspiyr.com/gut-feelings-the-physical-and-emotional-benefits-of-friendship/.

Unlimited, H. The Science of Friendship. Human Unlimited. Retrieved 8 May 2021, from https://www.humanunlimited.com/blogs/blog/94638662-the-science-of-friendship.