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Friendship is one of the most rewarding relationships you can have. In times of need, friends are always present. When you need help in life, they can be your strongest supporters and guides. Friendship is based on the concept of love and acceptance and has no regard for caste, creed, color, age, religion, or ethnicity. Keep reading this friendship essay to know more.
Who are your good friends?
A friend is someone with whom you have a close. You and your friends have some beliefs and values in common. Friends can be in person or online, a friend next door or 1,000 miles away. A friend is usually someone you trust or love being around. When you need someone to cry on, your friends are always there to help. They fight for you, support you, and guide you down the right path.
A good friend supports you in your endeavors and picks you up when you fall. Even science agrees as studies and reviews reveal that good friends cut your mortality risk in half. Also, you are 4.2 times less likely to catch a cold. Friendship can work wonders!
A good friend is always there for you
The Friends theme song suggests, “When it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year, but I’ll be there for you.” In the majority of friendships, a good friend will always be there for you, whether it’s with small or large gestures. A friend will not abandon you because you lost money or moved further away. Best friends understand that life is full of trials, and they will stick with you until the end, no matter your life stage. A good friend stays by your side, and a true friendship endures these trials while remaining strong, even when other relationships interfere.
Friendship fuels the power of empathy
According to a 2013 study conducted by scientists at the University of Virginia, the bond between close friends is so strong that they can feel each other’s pain or fear.
The researchers examined brain scans from 22 people with a threat of receiving small electrical shocks to themselves, a friend, or a stranger. They discovered that the brain activity of a person whose friend was in danger was essentially the same as the feelings they felt in the face of the threat (this was not true of strangers).
A good friend understands your problems or what you’re going through and shows their concern by validating your feelings. Women are more likely to share their feelings than men, but male friends also express them.
Friendship builds your immune system
Forget about vitamin C and kale smoothies; friendship spreads like the common cold and can help you fight it.
Several studies have shown that friends have immune-boosting properties. In one 1997 experiment, participants were given a cold virus shot and then sent to a hotel for a week while the researchers sat back and watched to see who became ill.
Participants who kept in touch with a larger social circle, including parents, partners, colleagues, and other virus-infected volunteers, were less likely to catch a cold.
Good friends bury the hatchet and forgive
Arguments are inevitable in a long-term friendship. A good friend is aware of this. The company allows them to forgive and move on. Most adults, especially older adults or those in early teens, learn this at some point, but good friends believe in each other and can overcome almost any obstacle.
Friends can argue over the slightest things and not about the serious ones. It’s always two-way communication. If your communication is strong, you need not worry about minor fights. Friends forget the terrible memories and focus on the good ones.
Stay away from friends who cannot take criticism
Friends should assist one another, and they should occasionally correct their friends when they are wrong. A good friend will accept criticism as a well-intended tool for growth, whereas a lousy friend may feel attacked if you say something they don’t want to hear. If they do not wish to take help or understand your point of view, you should try to convey the message calmly.
As a friend, you should complete your duty and tell them about their shortcomings and how they can improve themselves. Also, true friends will always give you positive criticism.
What does science say about friendships?
- Friendships can be a more effective pain reliever than morphine, and fulfilling relationships increase pain tolerance (Johnson and Dunbar, 2016)
- Friendships help you maintain your mental sharpness and lower your risk of dementia (Holwerda et al., 2014)
- Friendship can help you cope with stress and lower your cortisol (stress hormone) levels (Ozbay et al., 2017)
- The reliability of your friendships has an impact on cardiovascular disease, blood pressure, cancer recovery, and wound healing (Umberson and Montez, 2010)
- Your social circle can protect you from depression, boost your self-esteem, and provide support when the rain begins to fall (Harris and Orth, 2019)
Key takeaways
- Friendship is an emotional bond that builds trust and belief in one another. A true friend will never break your trust or hurt you intentionally.
- A good friend will always take constructive criticism with a smile. They will accept it for their benefit. They will not question their friend over such matters.
- Studies suggest that a good friendship doubles the chances of recovering from depression. This is the sign of a genuinely selfless friend.
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FAQs
Q1. When is friendship day celebrated?
Answer- International friendship day is celebrated on 30th July.
Q2. What are the three types of friendships?
Answer- According to Aristotle’s book (Nicomachean Ethics, Book VIII), the three types of friendships are friendships of pleasure, utility, and virtue.
Q3. Which color is known as the friendship color?
Answer- You can associate friendship with the color yellow. Moreover, it directs to someone with a lively and bright personality.
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