Every July 30, we celebrate World Friendship Day, a moment that reminds us of the importance of interacting and building friendships. Friendship is not only about togetherness and cheerfulness, but it also has a significant positive impact on our lives.
According to a report from the Mayo Clinic, friends can help us celebrate good moments and provide support when we are having a bad day. The existence of a friend saves us from feeling lonely, and the best thing is that we can also offer the same value to our best friend.
The Benefits of Friendship Beyond Happiness
Having a true friend can enrich our lives in many ways. Here are some of the benefits:
- Improves Mental and Physical Health.
Positive friendships can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Improves Quality of Life.
Research shows that people who have strong social relationships have a lower risk of premature death.
- Boosts Self-Confidence.
A good friend can help us feel more confident by providing praise, support, and encouragement.
- Broadens Your Perspectives.
Friendships with people from different backgrounds can help us see the world from different perspectives and broaden our horizons.
- Increases Happiness.
Friendship is a source of happiness and pleasure. Spending time with people we like can make us feel happy and satisfied.
Tips for Building Good Friendships
Building positive and healthy friendships requires effort and dedication. Here are some tips to help you:
- Be Open and Friendly.
Show interest in others and be a good listener.
- Be Yourself.
Don't try to be someone else to make friends. People will appreciate your authenticity.
- Provide Support.
Offer help and support to your friends when they need it.
- Maintain Communication.
Stay in touch with your friends, either in person or through social media.
- Become Forgiving
Everyone must have made mistakes. Forgive your friends when they make mistakes and give them a chance to improve.
- Avoid Bad Friends
Bad friendships can have a negative impact on our lives. Here are some signs of a bad friendship:
- Always Criticize and Knock Down.
A good friend will always support and encourage you, instead of always criticizing and putting you down.
- Manipulative and Selfish.
Bad friends only think about themselves and don't care about your feelings.
- Not Keeping Promises.
Good friends always strive to keep their promises.
- Makes You Feel Bad About Yourself.
A good friend will make you feel happy and confident instead of making you feel bad about yourself.
Friendship is one of life's most beautiful gifts. Having a true friend can enrich life, improve health, and bring happiness. On this World Friendship Day, let's take some time to appreciate the friendships we have and strive to build positive and healthy relationships with those around us.
Reference:
1. Mayo Clinic Staff. Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health. Mayoclinic. Last reviewed January 12, 2022. Available at:https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860#:~:text=Friends%20also%20play%20a%20significant,body%20mass%20index%20 (BMI).
2. Valda Garcia. Benefits of Friendship for Health ClickDoctor. Last reviewed November 18, 2020. Available at:https://www.klikdokter.com/info-sehat/kesehatan-umum/manfaat-persahabatan-bagi-kesehatan
3. Arlin Cuncic, MA. Benefits of Friendship and Why It's So Important to Stay Close. verywellmind. Last reviewed April 24, 2024. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-importance-of-friendship-3024371
4. BetterHelp Editorial Team. Why You Need Friendship And Love. betterhelp. Last reviewed April 30, 2024. Available at: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/why-you-need-friendship-and-love/
5. Yulia Lisnawati. Beware, Recognize 5 Signs of Toxic Friendship Relationships. Coverage6. Last reviewed March 05, 2024. Available at:https://www.liputan6.com/citizen6/read/5541416/waspadai-kenali-5-tanda-hubungan-pertemanan-yang-toxic?page=2