International Friendship Day: Happier, healthier and longer life with friends

A few months ago, I moved to Coorg to help my mother manage our coffee estate. However, what was supposed to be a fresh start quickly turned into a series of challenges. An unwilling staff and my own lack of experience in estate management left me feeling disheartened. On one such difficult day, my dear friend Toshal called up. As she enquired how I was and how things were with the estate, I got overwhelmed and sobbed. Embarrassed, I quickly hung up the phone.

Weeks passed and the estate’s troubles continued. As I was struggling with the grueling task of coffee plucking one day, I heard a car pull up. To my surprise, there was Toshal, standing in front of me with her large suitcase. “So, I just took a sabbatical from work! I’m here for as long as you need,” she said. Overwhelmed with emotions, I cried and embraced her, realising just how important her support was. Always my lifeline, Toshal had no clue about how to manage an estate, but her mere presence gave me the strength and courage to ease my mind and move forward.

Friends indeed make a positive impact on our health and wellbeing and there are a number of research that prove it. Says Shivangi Dhaundiyal, clinical psychologist, “Holistic wellbeing of humans relies on the environment they live in. More nurturing and enriching the social environment, better the overall psychological health. Stronger the friendships, better the quality of life.”

She further adds, “Longevity, for a long period of time, was only associated with good physical health. But as we understand it now, it’s a more holistic approach and mental health contributes majorly. Research has shown positive correlation between strong friendships and a person’s life-expectancy.”

There are many benefits to having true friendships and International Friendship Day honors this bond. It is celebrated on the 4th August and is dedicated to this special kind of relationship. Established by the United Nations, this day reminds us of the joy and support friends offer. It highlights how these meaningful connections contribute to a more compassionate world. On this special day, join us as we explore how our friendships can help us live happier, healthier and longer.

Emotional support and happiness

Our friends provide us emotional support in ways that even our families sometimes can’t. They offer to us a listening ear, share in our joys and help us through tough times. Research shows that having strong social connections leads to greater happiness and lowers our levels of stress and anxiety too.

In good times or bad, the comfort we receive from our friends can immediately uplift our mood. According to a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, friendships in adults are linked to better physical health, healthier behaviours and improved mental health. Indeed, our friends have a unique way of making everything better.