Friends are vital for one's well-being - Essential for Personal Health - Friendship is vital for one's overall wellbeing
In the tapestry of life, friendships serve as valuable threads that weave together memories, experiences, and emotions. A strong friendship is a treasure that endures through various life phases, growing more precious with time [1][2].
The foundation of a deep friendship lies in unwavering trust, shared experiences, mutual respect, open and honest communication, and a sense of companionship. These elements evolve over time, adapting to life's changes and offering a stable emotional anchor [1][2].
Shared history and inside jokes create a unique bond, fostering fond memories that strengthen connections [1]. A genuine commitment and emotional closeness result from choosing to invest in the friendship out of affection and respect, rather than obligation [2].
Mutual support during conflicts and challenges is crucial, allowing both parties to express disagreements and resolve issues respectfully without fear or humiliation [3]. Maintaining individuality and outside interests ensures the friendship respects personal autonomy and enriches both individuals by encouraging continued growth and social connections beyond the friendship itself [3].
Engaging in shared activities and collaborations reinforces bonds through positive shared experiences and cooperation [4]. Together, these factors build a resilient, joyful, and deeply fulfilling friendship capable of enduring over the long term and through varying circumstances.
Trust and reliability are the cornerstones of a friendship, as stated by Katrin Döveling [5]. Friendships directly contribute to health, according to friendship sociologist Janosch Schobin from Göttingen University [6]. Everyone needs friendships for their well-being, according to emotion researcher Katrin Döveling from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences [7].
Germany is considered well-equipped for friendships, as the society takes relatively much time for social relationships, according to sociologist Schobin [8]. Under certain circumstances, you can even reach a deep friendship level with pure online exchange [9].
However, social media offers opportunities to meet people, but whether real friendships develop is another question, according to Jeannine Teichert [10]. Real-life friendships usually began without social media, according to media scientist Jeannine Teichert from Paderborn University [11].
The internet is more about acquaintances than friendships, according to Katrin Döveling [12]. The average number of close friends is very constant in Germany [13]. People who meet online and later in person often have to get to know each other again, according to Jeannine Teichert [14].
A person can have about 150 good relationships, but much fewer truly close friendships, sometimes just a handful, according to research findings [15]. A good friend is more important for inner balance than a hundred good acquaintances on the internet, according to Katrin Döveling [16].
The internet cannot provide physical closeness, as humans need physical contact, including hugging, which triggers bonding hormones like oxytocin and endorphins [17]. A friend can be a safe haven, an anchor, and a calm center in a constantly changing world with uncertainties and challenges.
Virtual contacts offer the possibility to filter, pretend, hide, and act as someone different compared to real-life interactions. Lacking friendships and bonds can make one feel lonely, and about one in six people worldwide are affected by loneliness, according to the World Health Organization [18].
In conclusion, friendships are essential for our well-being, contributing to health and providing emotional stability during life's changes. Whether they begin online or offline, strong friendships are built on trust, shared experiences, mutual respect, open communication, and a sense of companionship.
The value of friendships, enriched by a shared history and inside jokes, significantly contributes to one's health and well-being, as supported by research [6][7]. In recognizing the importance of close friendships, society can employ policies fostering health-and-wellness, relationships, and lifestyle [Community policy, employment policy, health-and-wellness policy, lifestyle policy, relationships policy]. Individuals can prioritize trust, unwavering support, and mutual respect in their relationships, thereby promoting resilience, joy, and emotional anchors in various life phases [1][2].
