The science of why friendships keep us healthy.

“Friendship is something we really need to understand. There’s been this preoccupation with romantic relationships, but many of our close relationships are with friends,” said Thalia Wheatley, PhD, a professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College who studies social connectivity. “So how do they impact our health?

American culture places a high premium on romantic love. In fact, relationship woes—or the lack thereof are among the top reasons people seek therapy. And while romance can be a meaningful part of life, the benefits of friendships should not be overlooked. Psychological research suggests that stable, healthy friendships are crucial for our well-being and longevity.

Friendships protect us in part by changing the way we respond to stress. Blood pressure reactivity is lower when people talk to a supportive friend rather than a friend whom they feel ambivalent about. Those who have a friend by their side while completing a tough task have less heart rate reactivity than those working alone .

Fortunately, research also suggests that friendships can be made and maintained at any age, relationships with friends can strengthen or stand in for romantic relationships, and even minimal social interactions can be powerfu

Raise your sense of connection, belonging and purpose. Boost your happiness and lower your stress. Improve your self-confidence and feelings of self-worth. Help you cope through hard times, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one.

Friends always there to extend emotional support, through shared experiences and will boost our personal growth in our thought process.

Emotional Support: Assisting friends can provide emotional benefits for both you and them. Shared Experiences: Helping can lead to shared experiences and memories, enhancing our bond.

Personal Growth: Assisting others can help us develop new skills and gain different perspectives.

Good topic Suta.

The bonds of friendships hold an essential place in our lives. They are the people who guide us, hold our hands, and make us laugh when things go wrong.

True friendship is a priceless treasure that enriches our lives in countless ways. It’s a bond built on trust, understanding, and mutual support, offering solace in times of need and joy in moments of celebratio

“In the face of life’s challenges, having a close friend to turn to seems to be a buffer or protective factor against some of the negative outcomes we might otherwise see,” said Catherine Bagwell, PhD, a professor of psychology at Davidson College in North Carolina.

Friendships protect us in part by changing the way we respond to stress. Blood pressure reactivity is lower when people talk to a supportive friend rather than a friend whom they feel ambivalent about

Scientists studying friendship have even found similar brain activity among friends in regions responsible for a range of functions, including motivation, reward, identity, and sensory processing