Friendship does a lot more for us than we realize or give it credit for. Whether it’s a decade-long friendship or a friendship in bloom, they all bring us more value than they take away. (Well, in most cases. I’ll leave toxic friendships for another blog.) From lowering stress levels to increasing awareness, friendship is there for your highs and lows.
I personally don’t know where I’d be without my friends. I don’t have many if I’m being honest, but I’m personally happy having close-knit, growth-minded friendships. And that’s what I have! I can actually say that I can count my close friendships on one hand, but that doesn’t mean I’m not open to growing my circle either. And I’m truly grateful for the ones I have and how much they have changed and benefitted my life!
One of my closest personal friends has helped me through many lows I really didn’t think I’d make it through. But she’s also been there for me during some of my happiest moments, which is what makes friendship truly important in my opinion. Here are 4 reasons why having friends is so important for people to have!
Lower Stress Levels
Women for one have progesterone levels increase when they feel close to someone. Progesterone helps to reduce stress and anxiety, which probably explains why I always feel so much better after seeing my close friends. Have you ever hung out with a friend and just felt happier after even if you weren’t doing anything special? This is most likely why!
The surge of progesterone has also been linked to one’s willingness to risk their life for another, which may have helped establish social bonds over the course of evolution says Stephanie Brown, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychiatry and psychology at Stony Brook University. Plus, when stress levels go down, so does your risk for health conditions like heart disease, obesity, and depression!
Improves Self-Esteem
Having friends to rely on also helps improve self-esteem and build confidence. Especially during hard times or times of crisis, having friends to rely on helps make transitions and big changes easier. Friends also cheer on our successes and make us feel better after our mistakes. I would never have started Earth To Momma if it wasn’t for the support I had from my closest friend and the inspiration to keep going during tough times!
A lack of friends on the other hand can leave us without the added support we need and feeling lonely. This can make us vulnerable to other issues like depression and anxiety. We’re also much more likely to judge ourselves more harshly than we would without the support of a friend. I’m not kidding when I say I wouldn’t have started this company if my friend hadn’t given me that extra boost of confidence that I was lacking in myself!
Increases Awareness
Friends can teach us about ourselves. And just thinking about friendships that are especially meaningful to us allows us to reflect on who we are and who we want to be says Janice McCabe, Ph.D., an associate professor of sociology at Dartmouth College. We strive to become the best version of ourselves constantly, so we’re able to see the things that we admire in others and work toward achieving that in ourselves!
At the same time, friends can also show us ‘flaws’ in ourselves that we haven’t paid attention to or noticed on our own. And these aren’t necessarily real flaws, but something that we identify as flaws. For example, when I see things in some of my male friends that I would like differently in my own relationship, it makes me realize to be more grateful for the little things my fiancé does for me that I do like.
Positive Influence
Being lucky enough to be friends with someone who is kind and caring and always willing to help others and ambitious, I know firsthand the positive influence friendship can create. Not only am I grateful for every aspect, but I also aim to emulate it in myself. You know that feeling of not knowing how you’ll be able to pay back a friend for all they’ve done for you? It’s the most wonderful feeling in the world when someone says that to you.
On the flip side, not having friends can leave you without the social skills and knowhow to aim for those qualities. In fact, it can even lead to being selfish because if you’re the only one you ever have to worry about, you won’t know how to care for or about others in a deep and meaningful way. It can also cause staleness because if you don’t see others trying to do better, you might not feel inclined to want to either.
Joy Of Companionship
There’s no question to the benefits of friendship, and there’s also no limit. In the toughest times I’ve had in life, my friends have been there. In the best times I’ve had in life, my friends have been there. From improving my life by being there to improving my life by making me want better for myself, I can’t imagine my life without them!
What is something positive your friendships have brought you? Share in the comments below! I love hearing any sort of positivity I can right now! And if you’re looking for some small changes you can make yourself that will improve your life right now, check out ETM’s blog here.
As always, thank you so very much for being a part of ETM’s community! I encourage you to join discussions, interact with Mommas and others alike, and be unapologetically yourself! Until next time, I hope I’m able to help make your life as simple as could be. (:
With all my love, Brandolyn – Earth To Momma
