Here are the reasons why friends are important in your life
Aside from your family, the closest persons to one’s life would be his or her friends and these are the reason why having them is important.
Lower stress
Levels of progesterone, a hormone that helps reduce stress and anxiety, go up when women feel close to someone, according to an article from Good Housekeeping. Stephanie Brown, Ph.D, said, “The surge was also linked to a willingness to risk one’s life for the other person, so we believe it may have played a role in establishing social bonds over the course of evolution.”
Better memory function
“There is a body of prior research that suggests social integration, engagement with family, and emotional support from a social network are positively associated with cognitive function in older adults,” according to Amanda Cook Maher, Ph.D., clinical neuropsychology postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University and lead author of the study. The research showed that elderly with “perceived high-quality social relationships may be an important factor in above-average cognitive performance.”
Live longer
Research involving 90, 000 women between 50 and 79 were asked how much social support they had. Those who had more support or friends that they can lean on were more likely to live longer. Nancy Freeborne, Dr.PH., adjunct professor of health administration and policy at George Mason University said, “The difference was slight, but the data is pretty reliable because it was out of such a large group, so it’s less likely to be a coincidence.”
Boost your career
According to a study by the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University, women with strong support have a greater possibility of landing at higher-ranking leadership positions.
Motivate you to be healthier
“When we have close friends who exercise, save money, or volunteer, we are more likely to also engage in those same behaviors,” Jenna Glover, Ph.D., licensed psychologist at Children’s Hospital Colorado said. However, companions who are doing negative things can also influence you to do the same.
Teach you about yourself
“People strive to present themselves as positive and competent people and I’ve found that as people talk about their friends, they are often talking about their current self or the self they’d like to become,” McCabe stated. It is just like the saying “tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are.”
Help you feel better
According to Glover, the “lack of friendships and social support increases the risk of developing anxiety or depressive disorder.” Two studies from Michigan State University showed good friendships predict health and happiness as people get older. It is better than the relationship with relatives.
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