By: Nirvana Ramoutar
Did you know that friendships and other personal relationships have a significant impact on your health? Studies show that adults with strong social connection have reduced risk for many health problems such as depression, high blood pressure, and an unhealthy body mass index. This is often overlooked and individuals do not believe that maintaining healthy relationships are as important as eating healthy and exercising. However if you think about how you feel when you spend time with a true friend where you are able to laugh, cry, and share intimate secrets with, you know how powerful friendships can be.
Having close friends is undeniably good for us, but psychologists have found that “weak-tie” interactions with acquaintances, and even strangers, can give your mental health a boost. Something as small as complimenting a person, or bumping into a work friend you see once a week can make all the difference. Research has found that the people with more of these “weak-tie” interactions are happier than those who have fewer. We often avoid conversations with strangers as we fear awkwardness, but studies suggest that conversations with strangers tend to be less awkward and more connecting than people expect. To their own surprise, people also prefer having deep conversations with strangers rather than shallow ones.
How do you make friends as an adult?
- Become a volunteer
- Ask questions
- Look for shared interests
- Accept invitations
- Reach out to neighbors
- Take advantage of the virtual community
- Join a YMCA
Once again, friendships help you avoid feelings of loneliness; they increase your self-love, and help with personal growth. Loneliness and social isolation can be deadly, as it causes a risk for premature death in 26% of individuals, causing heart disease, dementia, etc. The significance of friendship goes a long way influencing both our well-being and physical health. Remember to cherish and maintain your friendships, and don’t be scared to start completely anew. You can do it!
If you or someone you know may be struggling with loneliness, or their mental health, please contact our psychotherapy offices in New York or New Jersey to talk to one of our licensed professional psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, or psychotherapists at Arista Counseling & Psychotherapy. Contact our Paramus, NJ or Manhattan, NY offices respectively, at (201) 368-3700 or (212) 722-1920 to set up an appointment. For more information, please visit http://www.counselingpsychotherapynjny.com/ .
Sources:
- https://elisplace.org/the-power-of-friendship/
- https://acendahealth.org/why-adult-friendships-are-important-to-our-mental-health/
- https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/06/cover-story-science-friendship
Source for photo
CounselingRx 