Humans have always relied on friendship. We never would have made it out of the Stone Age without cooperation and companionship. Nowadays, we may not need our immediate circle to help gather food or fend off predators, but friends can still be absolute lifesavers when we’re going through difficult times. Many studies over the years have found that people generally live longer, happier, healthier lives if they have a strong network of support from friends.

The Mayo Clinic reports that friendship can “increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost your happiness, reduce stress, improve your self-worth and help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one.”

It’s no surprise, then, that most people greatly value their friends, and often turn to them first in times of crisis.
Friendship is one of the most highly valued and rewarding parts of life. Close friends improve our outlook on life and our general well-being, making an unpleasant experience much easier to bear. The connections we form with our friends can be very strong, offering reliable support that nothing else quite matches.

The most helpful friends are happy, encouraging and supportive. They help you celebrate the good times and provide much needed support during the bad times. They stop you getting lonely and prop you up emotionally when you’re not at your best.

A good friend increases your sense of belonging and purpose, boosts your happiness, reduces your stress levels and improves your self-confidence and self-worth. They hopefully encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise.

Also they’re hopefully willing to ask for your help once in a while. As reported in Current Opinion in Psychiatry, giving support to a friend may be as good for a person’s health and well-being as receiving it. That’s the great thing about friendship — it works both ways.

What’s a healthy number of friends?

Quality counts more than quantity. While it’s good to cultivate a diverse network of friends and acquaintances, you also want to nurture a few truly close friends who will be there for you through thick and thin.

Remember, it’s never too late to build new friendships or reconnect with old friends. Investing time in making friends and strengthening your friendships can pay off in a happier, more settled break up and a brighter outlook for years to come.

For more information take a look at the Surviving Divorce friendship board on Pinterest.