Why friendships are so important

Good friends are good for your health. Talking with a friend over a cup of coffee, going to a ballgame together, chatting while your kids romp on the playground, or hitting the links for a round of golf can offer simple but powerful ways to connect.


Benefits of friendships


The connections of friendship can:
* Increase your sense of belonging and purpose
* Boost your happiness
* Reduce stress
* Improve your self-worth
* Decrease your risk of serious mental illness
* Help you weather traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one
* Encourage you to change unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise
* Share in your good times, such as a new baby, a new job, a new house


Friends can celebrate the good times with you or offer comfort during the bad. Just knowing that friends are there for you can help you avoid unhealthy reactions to stressful situations.