Make a Friend, Be a Friend

From a young age, I have always been an extroverted person. I have created various long-term relationships with friends and have made new friends through starting up conversations. I know some people are introverted and prefer to be a lot more distant and independent than others, which is appropriate as well. Recently, I was speaking to a good friend of mine, and we were discussing the day we became friends, which was about 10 years ago. Through our discussion, we noticed the impact we made on each other and the wounds we healed from each other through compassion, listening, and understanding one another. For this reason, I wanted to share some benefits of friendships in addition to highlighting the impact it makes in our lives. 

3 Benefits of Friendships: 

• Increases Your Sense of Belonging. When you have a friend, it allows you to feel accepted into another person’s life. That person is willing to listen attentively and help guide you in life towards healthy habits. Being part of something always makes you feel important, therefore, the same applies to friendships; you are part of your friend’s life hence, you are important to them. There are numerous people fighting for acceptance and being noticed when in reality all they are seeking is a friend. Personally, I have also experienced fading away from a friend when they do not motivate or lead me towards a healthy path. Through this, though, you learn more about yourself including your needs, goals, and future relationships. When this happens, you might feel alone or left out, but in reality, you are making a way for a new friendship to flourish. When this is achieved, your sense of belonging will grow again.
• Encourages You to Live a Healthy Life. Oftentimes I hear individuals calling an acquaintance a friend, although there is no true connection. On the other hand, I have heard people entice each other to unhealthy patterns, which in reality, a true friend will motivate you to be different and live healthy. For this reason, when having the right friends, you will feel called to do the right things and learn from each other. Just as your friend encourages you, you will also encourage them. Perhaps you grew up in an environment where you did not receive as much attention as you wished or had someone to talk to about your emotions, friends are here for that. Thus, a true friend will be willing to meet you in whatever place you find yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally while also helping you become the person you were called to be. 
• Increase Your Confidence. While we are consistently encouraged to love ourselves and be happy within, we sometimes yearn for a compliment or a kind word from someone else. This helps us feel more confident with ourselves while also encouraging us to continue living life as we are. Having a friend that promotes your confidence is key to a healthy lifestyle and adulthood. As one becomes older, or faces pregnancy, it becomes harder to feel loved and pretty. For this reason, I encourage you to say that complement or do that nice gesture your friend might be needing at this moment. Through being there for our friends, we demonstrate commitment and dedication for their well-being. 

With that being said, having the right friends has demonstrated to be beneficial for people of all ages including other benefits such as living longer. Perhaps you are the individual yearning for a friendship, begin to talk to someone and demonstrate your kindness towards that individual. On the other hand, you could be the person who let a friend down, perhaps apologize and be an example of what a true friend looks like. Recognizing one’s faults is important in a friendship as we are bound to make mistakes, but what better person to grow and learn with than your best friend. For this reason, I challenge you to be the friend you wish someone was to you or even better, make a friend and demonstrate through your actions the true meaning of friendship. 

Reference:

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, January 12). The Health Benefits of Good Friends. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860

Written by : Rachel Garcia; Masters Intern at Olive Branch

If you need support, live in the Chicago area, and would like to speak to a professional counselor, please contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 West 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.