Top Benefits of Prioritizing Adult Friendships
When we’re younger, friendship often seems like a given. We were friends with the kids in our neighborhood, those children who were introduced to us by our families, and everyone in our classes or other school activities. It seems like we’ve always had a built-in friend group. Adult friendships may be a bit more challenging. We’re all so busy with work and family, but research shows that taking the time to prioritize adult friendships can have numerous benefits. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of these benefits and offer tips for how to foster adult friendships.
1 – You’ll Be Healthier
Studies have shown that individuals who maintain friendships and feel they have support from their peers are more likely to develop and maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Maintaining adult friendships has been shown to improve a range of health variables, including blood pressure, heart health, and ability to cope with and manage health concerns like chronic illnesses.
2 – You’re Less Likely to Struggle with Depression
The American Journal of Psychiatry completed a study that showed that adults with strong friendships were significantly less likely to experience depression. Those who did struggle with depression often had milder symptoms or felt they were able to “bounce back” more quickly.
3 – You’ll Have a Support System During Tough Times
Times of change and crisis are often the most difficult to manage. Whether you’re starting a new job, getting out of a relationship, or you’ve just lost a loved one, having friends to provide necessary support can make these tough times a little more bearable.
4 – You’ll Have an Outlet for Stress
While no one is impervious to the effects of stress, people of color, women, and individuals working in healthcare fields have the highest stress levels. Having a group of trusted friends to rely on during stressful times can be key to managing the impact that stress can have on your daily life.
5 – You’ll Feel More Confident
A good group of friends will always be there to make you feel secure and confident. They will hype you up. Remind you about how great you are and give you the confidence to face anything your day throws at you.
How to Make New Friends as an Adult
When it comes to making new friends as an adult, I always say learning to listen actively is the best solution. When you listen, ask questions, and genuinely engage with another person, they will want to be around you more often. Don’t forget that this should be a two-way street. You don’t have to keep people as friends who spend all your time together talking about themselves and don’t want to learn more about you and your interests.
In addition to being a good active listener, you do have to be willing to put in the time. Sure, you don’t necessarily want to add one more source of stress, but making time to check in with friends is worth the investment of your energy. Even if it’s just a quick phone call or text message to let your friends know you’re thinking about them.
Want to Talk About Creating & Sustaining Friendships?
Making new friends and nurturing existing friendships can be difficult as an adult. We all have a lot on our plates, but these friendships are an invaluable life resource. If you’re struggling to maintain good friendships or you’re dealing with a challenging life situation that may be more than your friends are equipped to handle, consider scheduling a therapy session to chat with me about it. I’m Ashley Pichardo, a licensed mental health counselor. I enjoy working with clients who are nurturing new friendships and working toward living more satisfying lives each day.
