how friends influence your life essay brainly

The Importance of Friendship

Friendships are a crucial part of living a fulfilling life..

Posted July 26, 2021 | Reviewed by Ekua Hagan

• Friendship makes life more enjoyable and enriches one's everyday experiences.
• Finding friends can be challenging but can be often achieved by approaching others with mutual interests.
• The first criteria one should look for in a partner is someone who is ultimately a good friend to them.

As we move through life, we find that there are many things out of our control. We can’t choose our parents, our genetics , or control the things that happen in the world around us. One thing that we can control is who our friends are, and this decision can either make our lives so much richer and beautiful, or more stressful and disappointing. Today we’ll focus on how to choose friends who enrich our lives and make them more beautiful.

Why friends are so important

Having solid friendships is important for two main reasons. First, they make life more enjoyable. We get to share the beautiful aspects of life with people who we love, which can enrich our everyday experiences. Second, our friends help us through the difficult times. Having friends to support us through hard times can make unimaginably difficult situations seem more tolerable.

The most beautiful part about pouring our time and energy into friendships is that not only do friends help enrich our lives, but we enrich theirs too! Friendships get us through the tough times in life, make things more fun and enjoyable, and all-around make our lives better. I urge you to take stock of your friendships and ask yourself if your current friends people build you up and support you, or is the friendship more one-sided?

As we explore friendships today, these are also inclusive of our partners. I believe that the foundation for any healthy relationship is friendship. So it’s important to group our romantic partners into this conversation too.

So, where do we find friends? This might sound silly, but finding friends can be challenging! When I first moved to California for my Ph.D., I didn’t have any friends out here. There were quite a few people in my program that I enjoyed spending time with. But, towards the end of school, they became very busy and were no longer able to dedicate time to hang out anymore. Thankfully, through the help of a very good therapist, I learned that it was important to enjoy life instead of striving for excellence all of the time. As a result, I learned how important it was to carve out time in my life for friends.

Unfortunately, the people I had dedicated time to thus far were achievement-oriented and were pouring their time into work and not our friendships. This forced me to seek out other ways to form connections with people. I ended up finding a local hiking group with the hopes of meeting people with similar interests. During one of these hikes, I met Jim, one of my best friends to this day.

We became instant friends. We have continued to support each other over the years, and even more importantly, we always make time for one another. We both view the friendship as one that makes each other’s lives better, therefore it’s always worth the time and energy. The backbone of any successful friendship is one where both sides put in equal effort and support.

Both Jim and I were forced to put in more effort when he moved across the country to the East Coast. Because we already had such a strong foundation, this didn’t impact our friendship. We talk all of the time and see each other several times a year. We make the relationship a priority no matter what coast each other is on. Like anything in life that is valuable to us, we must work at it and put time and effort into it.

When it's time to move on from a friendship

The second part of the friendship discussion can be a difficult one — reassessing your current friendships and potentially moving on from friends who don’t add value to your life.

Two of my best friends from high school went down different paths from me. We still keep in contact, but I don’t spend too much time with them anymore. The supporting, loving part of our relationship wasn’t there anymore, so it was no longer worth putting energy into maintaining a friendship that had changed so much.

This may be a story you can relate to. What I hope you take away from this post is this — friendships take energy, time, and commitment. And if you’re putting your time and energy into someone who isn’t enriching your life and giving you the support you need, it may be time to reevaluate that friendship.

If you find yourself in the market for friends (who isn’t?) I recommend you find groups or activities that you genuinely enjoy. This way you’ll have the opportunity to connect with people who have similar interests. And once you’re there, take a risk! Talk to people, exchange contact information, and follow up with them. It may feel scary at first, but the reward outweighs the momentary uncomfortable feeling you may have.

Friendship and dating

In many ways, the most important friendship in our lives is the one we have with our romantic partners. The first criteria we should look for in this partner is someone who is ultimately a good friend to us, meaning that they are kind, positive, loving, and supportive. If we’re dating someone and they’re a jerk, it’s probably safe to assume that they’re not a good friend. To avoid this, I recommend seeking out someone who is a good friend first, i.e. before the romance and sexual stuff gets in the way.

When there are bumps in a friendship or a romantic relationship , it’s important to work through those tough times. The tricky part is that it will take two people to fix that issue. We can only control our actions and hold ourselves accountable, but we cannot control our friend or our partner's reaction. In addition to our own actions, we have control over the friends or partners that we choose in the first place. If we prioritize choosing good people who we can trust will work through issues with us, then we can work through anything.

Friendships are a crucial part of living a fulfilling life. It’s so important that we surround ourselves with people who we have fun with, who support us, and people who make us better. You may already have beautiful friendships in your life, but if you’re still in the market for friends, it’s never too late to cultivate new relationships that will make your life even more magnificent.

Robert Puff, Ph.D. , is host and producer of the Happiness Podcast, with over 16 million downloads.

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Student Opinion

What Have Your Friends Taught You About Life?

How do you think your interests and personality might be different without your friends’ influence?

By Shannon Doyne

Think about a close friend or a small group of friends. How are you alike? How are you different? What interests or opinions do you share?

Do you think this friend or group of friends has ever influenced you to do something you otherwise wouldn’t, whether that’s trying a new activity, changing an opinion you held, or just helping you think differently about something? How?

In the Opinion essay “ What Is It About Friendships That Is So Powerful ?” David Brooks writes about a “ giant new study ” on the “transformational power of friendship” in general but specifically in reducing poverty.

Why is friendship so powerful? Mr. Brooks writes:

… your friends are not just by your side; they get inside you. If you want to help people change, help them change their friendships. We already know from the work by Yale’s Nicholas Christakis and others that behavior change happens in friend networks . If people in your friend network quit smoking, then you’re more likely to quit smoking. If your friend gains weight, you are more likely to gain weight. Heck, if one of your friend’s friends — who lives far away and whom you have never met — gains weight, then you’re more likely to gain weight, too. Our friends shape what we see as normal. If our friends decide that being 15 pounds heavier is normal and acceptable, then we’ll probably regard being 15 pounds heavier as normal, too. This is the key point. Your friends strongly influence how you perceive reality. First, they strongly influence how you see yourself. It’s very hard to measure your own worth, your own competence, unless people you admire and respect see you as worthy, see you as competent. Plus, if your friends say, “We’re all smart, talented people,” you’ll begin to see yourself that way, too. Second, your friends shape how you see the world. A few decades ago, a theorist named James J. Gibson pioneered the theory of “affordances.” The basic idea is that what you see in a situation is shaped by what you are capable of doing in a situation. Dennis Proffitt of the University of Virginia has demonstrated this theory in a bunch of ways: People who are less physically fit perceive hills to be steeper than people who are fit, because they find it harder to walk up them. People carrying heavy backpacks perceive steeper hills than people without them. The phenomenon works socioeconomically, too. Kids who grew up with college-educated parents walk onto the Princeton campus and see a different campus than kids who have never been around a college at all. Without even thinking about it, more-affluent kids might communicate to their less-affluent friends ways of seeing that make such places look less alien, less imposing, more accessible. Third, our friends alter our desires. Desire is notoriously mimetic. We want what other people want and tell us is worth wanting. If you grow up around friends who naturally aspire to be doctors and accountants and engineers, you are probably going to aspire to such things, too. Entering into a friendship can be a life-altering act, and entering into a friendship with someone different from yourself can be life-transforming.

Students, read the entire essay, then tell us:

What, if anything, in the essay reminds you of an experience you have had? Is there anything in this essay that you disagree with? What, if so?

How are your friends influencing or encouraging you right now?

The essay states that our friends shape how we see ourselves and the world as well as what we want from life. They can even “call forth parts of ourselves that don’t yet exist.” Give some examples of what you’ve witnessed or experienced yourself that support or contradict these claims.

What do you think of the essay’s claims about friends who have different socioeconomic backgrounds influencing each other without necessarily meaning to do so? Have you ever witnessed or experienced this phenomenon yourself?

Mr. Brooks describes being a camper and then an employee at a camp he describes as “the best cross-class community I’ve ever been in.” What group have you been part of that compares with this and has encouraged you to develop “social range”? How valuable do you think social range is?

Do you think it’s better to have friends who are as alike as possible or friends who are quite different? Why?

Many years from now, how do you think you’ll answer this question: “How did the friends I had during childhood and adolescence shape my life and make me who I am today?”

Want more writing prompts? You can find all of our questions in our Student Opinion column . Teachers, check out this guide to learn how you can incorporate them into your classroom.

Students 13 and older in the United States and Britain, and 16 and older elsewhere, are invited to comment. All comments are moderated by the Learning Network staff, but please keep in mind that once your comment is accepted, it will be made public.

Importance of Friends in our Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay importance of friends in our life.

When we are born, we get associated with our family by blood relation. However, there is a relation, which we choose ourselves. That relation is a friend.  Friends make our life beautiful.  The adventure of life becomes beautiful when good friends surround us. We all belong to a family, where we have our parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc. We get immense love, care, attention and guidance from our family. However, our entire life does not revolve around our family members only. We all have our own purpose in life. Some members of our family go to school, some go to college, and our parents go to work. We all have a life outside our family. No journey of life seems interesting when traveled alone. We tend to make friends outside our family boundaries as that makes all life activities enjoyable.

Friends are Essential in Every Sphere of Life

We connect very quickly with people with whom our interests match. Infants are playful by nature. They always look for the company with whom the can play and explore their curious nature. Hence, when they meet any other infant of their age they connect easily over their common interest of playing.

In school, we make friends over our common interests. For example, students who like playing sports like cricket connect quickly and they become friends. Friends meet and discuss their common interests and nurture their interests together. Friends in school help each other in understanding the class activities, and homework. They often exchange notes and reference materials among themselves.

During our college life, we get independence in taking many decisions on our own. Also, many live in a hostel and are hence away from their family. Studying together, staying together, nurturing interest together, adjusting to conflicts with each other, helping each other all these makes the bond of friendship stronger.

A friend highlights mistakes and guides us in many ways. They also motivate us to realize our full potential. Also, we can easily discuss and share such issues and thoughts with our friends which we cannot share with our parents.

In our professional life also, friends also help us handle failure positively and multiply our joy of success. During midlife, we have huge responsibilities for family, job, etc. Discussing professional and personal stress with our friends makes us feel relaxed. They are our mental support and when we are in crisis, a good friend joins hand and helps in solving the problem.

Because of the nuclear family structure of the current society in old age, people mostly stay alone. Friends hang out and travel together to explore various places and enjoy several hobbies together. Friends thus eliminate boredom and loneliness from life. They add color to life. They become big support for any help needed.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Famous Friendship stories

In history, we get examples of many friendship stories, which shows the importance of friend in life. From the stories of Lord Krishna and Arjun, Ram and Sugreev, Lord Krishna and Sudama, Duryodhan and Karn it shows that friends have always been a person who helps and supports us. They help us come out of distress and grow in life.

Friendship is not only between two people. We become friends with animals around us. Hence, we tend to keep pets. Pets eliminate boredom and stress from our life. Spending time with pets give us immense joy.

Animals also become friends among themselves. They also help and support each other in the process of survival and existence. The biggest example of the need of friend among animals is there in the story Lion and the Mouse where they both help each other come out of difficult situations.

In our lifetime we choose our own friends. The journey of life becomes memorable because of friends. Friendship is a lovely relation without which life seems dull. It is the relationship with our friends that teaches us to share, love, care and most importantly helps us to fight odds and be successful. Having true friends acts as a boon. Friends increase the sense of belongingness and generate a feel-good factor. We all thrive and look for at least one that friend who at times criticizes and appreciates too. Emotional and psychological attachments are important and can only be experienced with friends.

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In What Ways Do Your Friends Influence You?

Posted in Insights , Motivational , News

Your friends influence you far beyond how they make you feel in the moment and life. In fact, they can even contribute to how long you live!

The friends you choose to have in your life undoubtedly play a significant role in who you are and who you become. They influence you socially, physically, financially...in just about every way you could imagine!

And it's not just in the moment as you're spending time with them. Even if you're laughing together, bonding, or otherwise enjoying yourself, their influence can last long after you're done visiting. 

Some studies even say that the right friends lower the risk of disease by reducing blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol.

The late Jim Rohn wrote that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.

It's true, the company you keep says a great deal about you.

Your Friends Influence You – Choose Them Wisely

The friends you have in your life can impact what you end up achieving in your life. If you have specific career aspirations or a desire to increase your education, it's invaluable to ensure they support who you are and what is important to you. They don't necessarily need to be on the same life path or hold the same dreams. But they need to be a positive support system and bring value to the relationship. 

Considering the way you think, feel, and behave is significantly influenced by your friends – it's imperative we choose our friends wisely. They are your people and are your most vital asset. We talk more about this in this post.  

Be careful of who you surround yourself with.

When it comes to our friends, Amy Morin advises the five reasons you should be careful who you surround yourself with:

• Strong-willed friends can increase your self-control.
• Fewer friends increase the likelihood you'll take financial risks.
• Too many social media connections can increase your stress level.
• Close friends could be the secret to longevity.
• Friends can greatly influence your choices.

Relationships thrive on optimism.  For more on optimism and the power of positivity, click here . 

It's an attitude that draws people to you. Negative people try to pull you down to their level. Most of us want to be near those who raise us up. Do you want to associate with those who bring you down, or do you want to be near those who build you up and inspire you? 

I choose to be around people who share my values and people I aspire to be like.

Friends and longevity

Let's talk more about reason #4 it's so essential to choose friends wisely: friends influence you AND even how long you might live.  Compelling research that looks into the longest-living cultures found a significant disparity between things like the foods they ate, where they lived, and how much they exercised. What wasn't different, though, was that each of the longest-living groups centers on meaningful social relationships.  In fact, another study of "309,000 people found a lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50% – an effect on mortality risk roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity."

We may need to let some friends go to have a more meaningful life. It's hard to do, of course. But we need to consider how compatible they are with our values. You will quite possibly start acting like the people you surround yourself with. Yes – friends influence you THAT strongly.  But remember, it's not for us to tell people what we see as their shortcomings. We won't singlehandedly change them or their life. We don't have that power. But we do have the ability to be the person we want to be. 

If we spend time around people who are averse to our values, we run the risk of becoming more like them. And, fair or not, we will also be judged in life by the company we keep.

Select friends who inspire, share your values, and challenge you to become your best! When you understand how your friends influence you, it becomes even clearer why choosing them wisely matters so much. Be sure to check out  many more motivational blogs here . If you'd like to take an emotional intelligence assessment,  check this out.

This article was originally published on march 6, 2017, and has been updated (september 2020)..

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How Friends Influence Your Life: Choose Your Squad

This article is an excerpt from the Shortform book guide to "The Compound Effect" by Darren Hardy. Shortform has the world's best summaries and analyses of books you should be reading.

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How do friends influence your life? Do you think your friends have a positive influence on your long-term wellbeing?

The people with whom you closely associate are critically important because you inevitably end up doing things like them. Have you ever considered how friends influence your life?

Consider how friends influence your life and whether that influence is positive or negative.

How Do Friends Influence Your Life?

The people with whom you closely associate are critically important because you inevitably end up talking, reading, eating, thinking, watching, and otherwise doing things like them. According to one expert, your closest associations—your “reference group”— can determine much of your success in life. Jim Rohn says we are the average of the five people we associate with most.  That’s why you have to think about how friends influence your life.

Our friends influence us subtly yet powerfully, and that influence can be negative or positive. For example, if you hang out with people who order potato skins and other greasy appetizers while gossiping, you’ll soon find yourself joining right in. If, however, you hang out with people who order healthy food and talk about uplifting subjects, you’ll assimilate these behaviors. 

If you want to possess certain traits, the best way to start is by hanging out with people who already possess those traits. The habits and attitudes they possess will rub off on you, and you can then mirror that success in your own life.

Consider the people you spend the most time with and place them into one of 3 categories:

• Dissociations . These are the people you need to cut ties with. They are negative influences who don’t seem to be growing or changing in a positive direction. When you break away from these people, it won’t be easy. They will resist, seeing your positive direction as a negative reflection on them.
• Limited associations : There are people who are fine to be around for a few minutes, or a few hours, or even a few days, but any more than that creates a dampening influence on you. Look at the people in your life and see if you’re spending too much time with someone whose contact you should limit.
• Expanded associations . Find people who have positive qualities in areas of life you’d like to emulate, for example, business success or loving marriages. Make an effort to spend more time with these people, even if you have to go out of your way. Join organizations where the type of people you admire gather. If you admire an author or speaker you don’t have access to, listen to their materials and learn from them.

Expanded Associations: Mentoring

Finding a mentor is a great way to associate more with an individual whose qualities you’d like to emulate. You are never so good that you can’t benefit from a mentor. In fact, some of the most successful individuals keep learning from the best coaches and trainers there are.

———End of Preview———

Like what you just read read the rest of the world's best book summary and analysis of darren hardy's "the compound effect" at shortform ..

Here's what you'll find in our full The Compound Effect summary :

• How small, daily actions can add up to big successes (or failures)
• Why it's easier to rely on the compound effect over time instead of taking big action all at once
• How it's possible to be better off starting with a penny than $3 million
• ← Self-Awareness Is Like an Onion: Peel Back the Layers
• How to Find Mentorship: Advice for Women →

Darya Sinusoid

Darya’s love for reading started with fantasy novels (The LOTR trilogy is still her all-time-favorite). Growing up, however, she found herself transitioning to non-fiction, psychological, and self-help books. She has a degree in Psychology and a deep passion for the subject. She likes reading research-informed books that distill the workings of the human brain/mind/consciousness and thinking of ways to apply the insights to her own life. Some of her favorites include Thinking, Fast and Slow, How We Decide, and The Wisdom of the Enneagram.

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Simon Alexander Ong

How your circle of friends influence who you become.

For many years, I lived by the belief that how smart and talented I was, would be the single, most important factor in determining my level of success in life.

The grades I thought I had to achieve through sacrificing nights, weekends and holidays for. Having to consistently be regarded as one of the top performers in my class. And, how there had to be mastery of all subjects studied, regardless of interest.

Now, I’m not saying that these accomplishments were of no use at all. In fact, I’m incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and lessons, which I’ve received from the pursuit of academic excellence.

From entering adolescence, to hunting down my first job while at university, it has allowed me to understand that hard work and perseverance are essential ingredients to getting what you want out of life. They are the catalysts that help turn visions into reality.

What hit me over time however, and particularly in the last few years, is the fact that our success in life more often than not comes down to the people we choose to spend our time with.

How smart you are.

How talented you are.

Where you were born.

The family environment you grew up in.

These may all play some role as to how successful you will be in life, but in comparison to the impact of surrounding yourself with people who can lift you higher, it doesn’t compare.

An individual maybe born into riches but live an unhappy life, while someone from more humble beginnings maybe able to manifest their dreams in record breaking time. All because of the company they keep, which influences their way of thinking and thus resulting in a mindset for success.

Our habits determine the person we become. Environment optimisation is an important one that can have a profound impact on your well-being.

Want to be successful? Surround yourself with successful people.

Want to be happy? Surround yourself with happy people.

Want to be healthy? Surround yourself with healthy people.

Want to become more confident? Surround yourself with confident people.

In essence, we become more like the people we hang out with.

It’s like what Jim Rohn tells us: “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Take a moment to reflect on the following: Who are the people you spend most time with? Do they elevate you or bring you down? Are they proactive go-getters exhibiting qualities that you admire or people who just sit and criticise? Do they motivate or drain you?

The awesome thing about being around positive minded individuals, who have a habit of chasing their dreams and believe in taking responsibility for their lives, is that you’ll be inclined to grow in a positive direction as well.

They will have an impact on your thinking and consequently your behaviour. They will support you on your journey and move you towards inspired action.

Maximise the amount of time you spend with these people!

“Associate only with positive, focused people who you can learn from and who will not drain your valuable energy with uninspiring attitudes. By developing relationships with those committed to constant improvement and the pursuit of the best that life has to offer, you will have plenty of company on your path to the top of whatever mountain you seek to climb.” – Robin Sharma

The amazing thing about where we are today in terms of technology, means that you can literally surround yourself with inspiring people (e.g. through Twitter, Facebook and audio books). As a result, I’ve put together a few ideas including these more modern methods, on how you can begin creating a more optimal environment for your personal growth and success:

• Attend events in your local town/city that appeal to your interests, can help you learn something useful, or arouse your curiosity. Make sure to bring your business cards with you!
• Seek out people who have skills/qualities that you admire and learn from them. Never assume that they have nothing to learn from you. We can always learn something from someone, regardless of where they are in their own life.
• Minimise the time you spend hanging out with the wrong crowd and unhealthy influences, e.g. pessimists and those that can hurt your chances of achieving success.
• Read more. Books, blogs, etc. You will be exposed to inspiring success stories, expand your library of knowledge and nurture your creative thinking.
• Listen to audiobooks/podcasts when you are commuting and/or relaxing.
• Follow inspirational people and those who you can learn from on social media channels.
• Subscribe to newsletters, which will add value to your life and help you towards your goals in life.
• Keep perspective. While it’s important to spend your time with those who are more successful than you, it is also great for your development to be around those who are at the same stage as you (so ideas and the journey can be shared) and those below you, who you can inspire and share your wisdom with.
• Spend less time in front of the TV and your smartphone, and more time getting out there and connecting with people. You just never know what it might lead to!

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts on the above and how you’ve benefited from both the power of relationships and a supportive environment.

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How Friends Can Shape Your Life: An Essay on Friends

In today’s global and digitally connected world, friendships play an even more important role in our lives. Friends are not just the people we have a good time with or share a meal – they are the ones who help us develop as individuals, build trust, and navigate the challenges and rewards that life throws at us. Hence, examining the dynamics of friendships and understanding the importance of choosing our friends wisely becomes a crucial task for anyone.

Friendship is a bond that goes beyond age, social status, or any other descriptive factors. It is about the heart-to-heart connections we form with others, both offline and online. Having true and loyal friends can shape our lives in ways we cannot even begin to imagine. Friends become a part of our history, and their influence can be seen in every aspect of our being – be it our thoughts, actions, or choices.

Friendships also have a great impact on our mental and emotional well-being. A friend’s support and understanding can help us through the most challenging of times, and their presence in our life makes the journey more enjoyable. Even in the model of essay writing, some of the greatest examples come from the heart – those essays that are written with a true friend by your side.

Friendships are not just about what we gain from them, but also about what we bring to them. It’s a two-way street that requires trust, shared experiences, and mutual respect. Without these essential components, friendships can become superficial and meaningless. However, when built on a strong foundation of trust and understanding, friendships can become one of the most rewarding and fulfilling aspects of our lives.

Importance of Friends in Your Life

Friendships are not just about having someone to hang out with or share a meal. They go much deeper than that. Friends are the ones who challenge you to be a better version of yourself and encourage you to reach for your goals. They provide a safe space for you to share your thoughts and feelings, and they offer advice and guidance when you need it most. Friends are the ones who lift you up when you are down and celebrate your successes with you.

In today’s digital age, it is easy to find friends online and make connections through social media. However, true friendships are built on trust, loyalty, and genuine care for one another. These bonds cannot be developed through likes, comments, or views. It requires investing time and effort in getting to know someone on a deeper level and understanding their values, dreams, and challenges.

Friendships have a cross-cultural appeal, with friendships being valued in every society throughout history. Examining the history of friendships, from examples like Krishna and Sudama, we can see the impact that friends can have on an individual’s life. Friendships help us gain a better understanding of ourselves and others, and they provide a sense of belonging and acceptance.

The importance of friends in your life cannot be overstated. They play a crucial role in our overall well-being and happiness. Friends provide emotional support, help us deal with stress and difficult times, and contribute to our personal growth and development. They offer a listening ear when we need to vent, a shoulder to cry on when we are in pain, and a hand to hold when we need someone by our side.

Studies have shown that having friends can also have a positive impact on our physical health. Research suggests that people with strong social connections have a lower risk of developing health problems such as heart disease, depression, and cognitive decline. Having friends in our life increases our resilience and ability to cope with challenges, making us more mentally and emotionally strong.

Choosing Wisely

While friends are important, it is equally important to choose them wisely. Surrounding yourself with the right people can have a profound impact on your life, while the wrong friendships can bring negativity and hinder your growth. It is essential to build friendships based on mutual respect, trust, and shared values.

Friendships take time and effort to develop and maintain. They require open communication, honesty, and a willingness to support each other in good times and bad. It is crucial to choose friends who bring out the best in you and motivate you to become the best version of yourself.

The Rewards of True Friendships

True friendships are lifelong and bring countless rewards. They offer companionship, laughter, and shared experiences. True friends are there for you no matter what, and they have your back when you need it the most. They celebrate your successes and provide comfort and support during difficult times.

Friends also enrich our lives by introducing us to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. They help us see the world through different lenses and challenge us to step out of our comfort zones. True friends inspire us to go after our dreams and give us the confidence to overcome any obstacles that come our way.

Discovering the Impact of Friendship on Your Overall Well-being

Friendships bring rewards on multiple levels. They provide emotional support during challenging times and celebrate your successes. Friends understand your history, your views, and your values, making them a source of comfort and understanding. They offer a different perspective on life, broadening your horizons and helping you to see things from different angles. A good friend can challenge you to grow and become a better version of yourself.

Friendships are especially important in the digital age. While online connections may provide a sense of socializing, they often lack the depth and intimacy that face-to-face interactions can offer. Genuine friendships involve trust, shared experiences, and a deep level of mutual understanding that is difficult to achieve solely through digital means.

Choosing the right friends is crucial. Just like in any relationship, it’s important to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Friends should support your dreams, ambitions, and values. They should challenge you to be a better person and provide a safe space where you can be yourself without judgment. The best friends are the ones who are there for you through thick and thin, who celebrate your successes, and who provide a shoulder to lean on during tough times.

Friendship is a universal concept. Regardless of age, gender, or cultural background, everyone needs friends. Studies have shown that having a strong network of friendships can improve happiness and reduce feelings of loneliness. In cross-cultural research, it has been found that friendship is highly valued and prioritized across different societies around the globe.

The impact of friendship can be felt in various aspects of life. For example, having supportive friends can help you navigate professional challenges, providing advice, guidance, and networking opportunities. Good friends can also have a positive influence on your health, encouraging you to engage in healthy habits and providing emotional support during difficult times.

Friendship is not always easy. It requires effort, time, and commitment to develop and maintain strong bonds with others. But the rewards are worth it. A good friend can make a bad day better, brighten your mood, and offer a listening ear when you need to vent. They can be the ones to pick you up when you fall, inspire you to chase your dreams, and provide a sense of belonging.

Types of Friends and Their Influence

1. descriptive friends:.

These friends are like words in a book. They help us express ourselves and understand the world around us. Descriptive friends are important in shaping our views and writing our story.

2. Challenges

Some friends challenge us to become better versions of ourselves. They push us to take risks and overcome our fears. These friends play a crucial role in our personal growth and development.

3. Shared Interests

Having friends who share the same passions and hobbies as us can be a great source of support and inspiration. Shared interests bring people together and create bonds that last a lifetime.

Friendships also have an impact on our social dynamics. Friends influence our choices, behavior, and even our values. Choosing friends wisely is crucial as they can either uplift or bring us down.

In the age of digital media, building and maintaining friendships has become easier. Online connections enable us to have friends from all over the world and explore cross-cultural friendships.

Friendships, however, go beyond the digital realm. True friends are those who are there for us in times of need, who understand us without having to say a word, and who fill our hearts with joy.

The importance of friendship cannot be overstated. Friendships provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. Like a good meal, having good friends nourishes the soul and makes life more enjoyable.

It is essential to examine our friendships and ensure they are healthy and fulfilling. Trust is the foundation of any friendship, and if it is broken, the entire relationship may crumble.

Exploring the Different Roles Friends Play in Your Life

1. lifelong connections.

Friends are often those individuals who stick by our side through thick and thin, creating lifelong bonds. They are the ones we can count on to support us in times of need and celebrate with us in times of joy. These friendships withstand the test of time and distance, remaining strong despite the challenges life may bring.

2. Building Trust

Trust is a fundamental aspect of any friendship. Friends earn our trust through their actions and consistent reliability. We can confide in them, knowing that our secrets will be kept safe. Trust helps build a solid foundation for friendship, allowing us to be vulnerable and open about our thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment or betrayal.

Friendships also contribute to our overall happiness and sense of belonging. Having a strong support system in the form of friends enhances our well-being and provides a sense of community and camaraderie.

Furthermore, friendships can have a positive impact on our physical health. Research has shown that individuals who have strong social connections tend to live longer and have fewer health issues.

Maintaining Strong Friendship Bonds

One key aspect of maintaining strong friendship bonds is trust. Trust is the foundation of any good friendship, and without it, the relationship can easily falter. It is important to be honest and reliable with your friends, and to communicate openly and effectively. Trust allows for vulnerability and a deeper level of connection, making it easier to rely on one another during times of need.

Another important aspect of maintaining strong friendships is understanding and accepting each other’s differences. True friendship is not based on having the same beliefs or interests, but rather on accepting and appreciating each other for who we are. Exploring cross-cultural friendships can be incredibly rewarding, as it allows for a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of different cultures and ways of life.

Having a support system is also a crucial part of maintaining strong friendship bonds. Friends are there to celebrate the good times and provide comfort and support during the bad times. They can offer guidance, advice, and a listening ear when needed. Knowing that you have someone to turn to in times of trouble or celebration is incredibly valuable.

Tips on Nurturing and Sustaining Healthy Friendships

1. choose your friends wisely.

It is important to choose your friends wisely. Consider the values, interests, and personality traits of potential friends. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you and support your goals and aspirations. Building friendships with those who share similar values and goals will create a solid foundation for a healthy and vibrant friendship.

2. Develop Trust and Open Communication

Trust and open communication are the keys to maintaining healthy friendships. Be honest, reliable, and respectful towards your friends. Trust can be developed over time by being there for one another, keeping your promises, and being a good listener. Openly discuss any issues or conflicts that arise, and resolve them through understanding and compromise.

3. Explore Shared Interests and Activities

Shared interests and activities provide a common ground for friends to connect and bond. Explore hobbies, sports, or other activities that you both enjoy. This will not only strengthen your friendship but also create lasting memories and experiences.

4. Be Supportive and Understanding

Friends should support one another through both good times and bad. Be there to celebrate their successes and offer a shoulder to lean on during challenging times. Show understanding and empathy towards their feelings and experiences. This will create a sense of belonging and support within the friendship.

5. Accept and Appreciate Individual Differences

Everyone is unique, and friendships can thrive when we accept and appreciate individual differences. Celebrate diversity and respect each other’s opinions and beliefs. Embrace the opportunity to learn from one another’s perspectives and experiences.

6. Maintain Regular Contact

Regular contact is crucial for sustaining healthy friendships. Keep in touch through phone calls, text messages, or social media. Plan regular outings or meet-ups to catch up and spend quality time together.

7. Be a Good Listener

Being a good listener is an essential trait of a good friend. Truly listen to your friends when they share their thoughts, feelings, or challenges. Show genuine interest and offer your support or advice when needed. This will strengthen the bond and trust between friends.

How do friends shape your life?

Friends have a significant impact on our lives. They provide emotional support, companionship, and a sense of belonging. Friends also influence our choices and decisions, shaping our values and beliefs. They can motivate us to achieve our goals and provide us with different perspectives on life.

What are the benefits of having cross-cultural friendships?

Having cross-cultural friendships brings numerous benefits. It expands our horizons, exposes us to different cultures, customs, and traditions. It helps us develop a broader worldview and become more tolerant and open-minded. Cross-cultural friendships also provide opportunities for language exchange, cultural exchange, and the chance to learn from each other’s experiences.

What are the challenges of maintaining cross-cultural friendships?

Maintaining cross-cultural friendships can be challenging due to cultural differences, language barriers, and geographical distances. Misunderstandings may arise from different communication styles, social norms, and values. It may require more effort to bridge the gap between different cultures and find common ground. Time zone differences and limited opportunities for face-to-face interaction can also pose challenges.

How can cross-cultural friendships be rewarding?

Cross-cultural friendships can be incredibly rewarding. They offer a chance to learn about different cultures firsthand, exchange ideas, and gain new perspectives. These friendships can foster personal growth, increase empathy and understanding towards others, and create lifelong connections. Through cross-cultural friendships, we can build bridges between diverse communities and work towards a more inclusive and harmonious world.

What are some tips for building cross-cultural friendships?

Building cross-cultural friendships requires open-mindedness, curiosity, and respect for different cultures. It is important to be willing to learn and embrace new experiences. Active listening, asking questions , and showing genuine interest in the other person’s culture can help form strong bonds. Taking part in cultural activities, language exchange programs, or joining international organizations are also effective ways to meet people from different backgrounds and establish cross-cultural friendships.

How can friends shape one’s life?

Friends can shape one’s life in many ways. They provide support, companionship, and advice. They can also influence one’s beliefs, values, and behaviors. Having positive and supportive friends can lead to personal growth and happiness, while toxic or negative friends can have a detrimental impact on one’s well-being.

What are the challenges of cross-cultural friendships?

Cross-cultural friendships can face several challenges. Language barriers can make communication difficult. Differences in cultural norms and values can also lead to misunderstandings or conflicts. Additionally, long distances can make it challenging to maintain regular contact and spend time together. However, these challenges can be overcome through open-mindedness, tolerance, and a willingness to learn and understand each other’s cultures.

By Alex Koliada, PhD

Alex Koliada, PhD, is a well-known doctor. He is famous for studying aging, genetics, and other medical conditions. He works at the Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics. His scientific research has been published in the most reputable international magazines. Alex holds a BA in English and Comparative Literature from the University of Southern California , and a TEFL certification from The Boston Language Institute.

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Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health

Discover the connection between health and friendship, and how to promote and maintain healthy friendships.

Friendships can have a major impact on your health and well-being, but it's not always easy to develop or maintain friendships. Understand the importance of social connection in your life and what you can do to develop and nurture lasting friendships.

What are the benefits of friendships?

Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also:

• Increase your sense of belonging and purpose
• Boost your happiness and reduce your stress
• Improve your self-confidence and self-worth
• Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one
• Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise

Friends also play a significant role in promoting your overall health. Adults with strong social connections have a reduced risk of many significant health problems, including depression, high blood pressure and an unhealthy body mass index (BMI). In fact, studies have found that older adults who have meaningful relationships and social support are likely to live longer than their peers with fewer connections.

Why is it sometimes hard to make friends or maintain friendships?

Many adults find it hard to develop new friendships or keep up existing friendships. Friendships may take a back seat to other priorities, such as work or caring for children or aging parents. You and your friends may have grown apart due to changes in your lives or interests. Or maybe you've moved to a new community and haven't yet found a way to meet people.

Developing and maintaining good friendships takes effort. The enjoyment and comfort friendship can provide, however, makes the investment worthwhile.

What's a healthy number of friends?

Quality counts more than quantity. While it may be good to cultivate a diverse network of friends and acquaintances, you may feel a greater sense of belonging and well-being by nurturing close, meaningful relationships that will support you through thick and thin.

What are some ways to meet new friends?

It's possible to develop friendships with people who are already in your social network. Think through people you've interacted with — even very casually — who made a positive impression.

You may make new friends and nurture existing relationships by:

• Staying in touch with people with whom you've worked or taken classes
• Reconnecting with old friends
• Reaching out to people you've enjoyed chatting with at social gatherings
• Introducing yourself to neighbors
• Making time to connect with family members

If anyone stands out in your memory as someone you'd like to know better, reach out. Ask mutual friends or acquaintances to share the person's contact information, or — even better — to reintroduce the two of you with a text, email or in-person visit. Extend an invitation to coffee or lunch.

To meet new people who might become your friends, you have to go to places where others are gathered. Don't limit yourself to one strategy for meeting people. The broader your efforts, the greater your likelihood of success.

Persistence also matters. Take the initiative rather than waiting for invitations to come your way and keep trying. You may need to suggest plans a few times before you can tell if your interest in a new friend is mutual.

For example, try several of these ideas:

• Attend community events. Look for groups or clubs that gather around an interest or hobby you share. You may find these groups online, or they may be listed in the newspaper or on community bulletin boards. There are also many websites that help you connect with new friends in your neighborhood or city. Do a Google search using terms such as [your city] + social network, or [your neighborhood] + meet ups.
• Volunteer. Offer your time or talents at a hospital, place of worship, museum, community center, charitable group or other organization. You can form strong connections when you work with people who have mutual interests.
• Extend and accept invitations. Invite a friend to join you for coffee or lunch. When you're invited to a social gathering, say yes. Contact someone who recently invited you to an activity and return the favor.
• Take up a new interest. Take a college or community education course to meet people who have similar interests. Join a class at a local gym, senior center or community fitness facility.
• Join a faith community. Take advantage of special activities and get-to-know-you events for new members.
• Take a walk. Grab your kids or pet and head outside. Chat with neighbors who are also out and about or head to a popular park and strike up conversations there.

Above all, stay positive. You may not become friends with everyone you meet but maintaining a friendly attitude and demeanor can help you improve the relationships in your life. It may also sow the seeds of friendship with new acquaintances.

How does social media affect friendships?

Joining a chat group or online community might help you make or maintain connections and relieve loneliness. However, research suggests that use of social networking sites doesn't necessarily translate to a larger offline network or closer offline relationships with network members. In addition, remember to exercise caution when sharing personal information or arranging an activity with someone you've only met online.

How can I nurture my friendships?

Developing and maintaining healthy friendships involves give-and-take. Sometimes you're the one giving support, and other times you're on the receiving end. Letting friends know you care about them and appreciate them can help strengthen your bond. It's as important for you to be a good friend as it is to surround yourself with good friends.

To nurture your friendships:

• Be kind. This most-basic behavior remains the core of successful relationships. Think of friendship as an emotional bank account. Every act of kindness and every expression of gratitude are deposits into this account, while criticism and negativity draw down the account.
• Be a good listener. Ask what's going on in your friends' lives. Let the other person know you are paying close attention through eye contact, body language and occasional brief comments such as, "That sounds fun." When friends share details of hard times or difficult experiences, be empathetic, but don't give advice unless your friends ask for it.
• Open up. Build intimacy with your friends by opening up about yourself. Being willing to disclose personal experiences and concerns shows that your friend holds a special place in your life, and it may deepen your connection.
• Show that you can be trusted. Being responsible, reliable and dependable is key to forming strong friendships. Keep your engagements and arrive on time. Follow through on commitments you've made to your friends. When your friends share confidential information, keep it private.
• Make yourself available. Building a close friendship takes time — together. Make an effort to see new friends regularly, and to check in with them in between meet ups. You may feel awkward the first few times you talk on the phone or get together, but this feeling is likely to pass as you get more comfortable with each other.

Manage your nerves with mindfulness. You may find yourself imagining the worst of social situations, and you may feel tempted to stay home. Use mindfulness exercises to reshape your thinking. Each time you imagine the worst, pay attention to how often the embarrassing situations you're afraid of actually take place. You may notice that the scenarios you fear usually don't happen.

When embarrassing situations do happen, remind yourself that your feelings will pass, and you can handle them until they do.

Yoga and other mind-body relaxation practices also may reduce anxiety and help you face situations that make you feel nervous.

Remember, it's never too late to develop new friendships or reconnect with old friends. Investing time in making friends and strengthening your friendships can pay off in better health and a brighter outlook for years to come.

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• Holt-Lunstad J. Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors: The power of social connection in prevention. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2021; doi: 10.1177/15598276211009454.
• Loneliness and social isolation — tips for staying connected. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/loneliness-and-social-isolation-tips-staying-connected. Accessed Dec. 16, 2021.
• Bystritsky A. Complementary and alternative treatments for anxiety symptoms and disorders: Physical, cognitive, and spiritual interventions. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Dec. 16, 2021.
• Oshio T, et al. Association between the use of social networking sites, perceived social support, and life satisfaction: Evidence from a population-based survey in Japan. PLoS One. 2020; doi: 10/1371/journal.pone.0244199.
• Wilkinson A, et al. Maintenance and development of social connection by people with long-term conditions: A qualitative study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; doi:10.3390/ijerph16111875.
• Suragarn U, et al. Approaches to enhance social connection in older adults: An integrative review of literature. Aging and Health Research. 2021; doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ahr.2021.100029.
• Holt-Lunstad J. The major health implications of social connection. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2021; doi: 10.1177/0963721421999630.
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For students & teachers, how friends influence behavior: friendships and school performance.

EVERFI Content Team

When you think back to your time in school, what do you remember most? Is it the homework and tests, or is it the relationships you built with others? If you’re like most people, it’s the latter. But, how do those friends influence behavior?  Recent studies have concluded that friendships are more important than you might think. In many cases, they’re even among the biggest indicators of success in school. Of course, that could be a problem for the students who don’t make friends easily, which is why they need your help. After all, as teachers, we have a great opportunity to help students improve their peer relationships in school. Here’s why that’s important and how to get started.

The Impact of Peer Relationships

Childhood friendships are more important than you might think. First, they help children develop the social skills they’ll need to succeed in life. Those skills include the following:

• Cooperation
• Problem solving
• Communication

As most adults have learned, those skills are important both at school and in the workforce. Peer relationships can also help children learn to control their emotions and respond to others appropriately. Better grades are also among the perks of friendships, as several studies have shown that socially active students often  have better academic outcomes at school.

How Teachers Can Nurture Friendships Among Students

Now that we know how important peer relationships are in the classroom, it makes sense to spend time encouraging students to make friends. Granted, most of our schedules are stretched to the limit, leaving us little time to focus on encouraging friendships. But luckily, some of the most effective methods are quick, easy, and fit in well with most classroom plans. Here are some examples:

Help Kids Introduce Themselves Early On

The first week of school is the perfect time to plan activities that help kids introduce themselves to their peers. One of the  most popular options involves a worksheet with a different box for each detail. To play the game, students have to find a peer with that detail. For example, if the box says “has a sister,” students mingle with classmates until they find someone who has a sister, and then they can write that person’s name in the box. This can get kids talking early in the year.

Use Small Groups During the School Year

Another way to get students talking is to set up group activities whenever possible. Shy students are more likely to talk in small groups than in larger groups, so you might have some success when you ask them to complete social activities, like  sharing stories based on questions you ask. And of course, just having students work on in-class projects and worksheets in small groups can nudge them to be more social and even make friends

Show Students Their Value

You can also encourage peer relationships by making it clear you enjoy being around your students, showing they have social value. For instance, if you have a student who doesn’t have any friends, you can show the other students that he or she is interesting or kind. You can do this by  talking to and laughing with the student in front of the class, which will not only boost the student’s self esteem but also drive others to try to get to know him or her.

Help Students Show Off Their Strengths

Another way to spotlight a student’s value as a friend is to allow opportunities for him or her to show everyone some unique skills. For example, if you know a student is great at baking, ask him or her to bring in baked goods that complement a lesson plan, such as when you’re teaching the class about a particular country that values certain foods. Or maybe a student knows a lot about weather systems, in which case you can offer extra credit if he or she makes a presentation to the class when you’re teaching about weather.  This tactic is especially helpful with older students whose value as a friend might have been overlooked by others.

Encourage Students to Get Involved

By encouraging students to participate in extracurricular activities, you can play a role in helping them strengthen their relationships with peers.  Joining clubs can help students find others with similar interests, which often leads to more friends. And if you have a few students whose interests are not represented by clubs yet, suggest that they start one. If possible, let them know you can sponsor it, or at least cheer them on as they start planning the new club.

As teachers, we have the influence necessary to not only educate our students but also to help them create and retain friendships that will both influence behavior and benefit them for life. Following these tips can help you make a difference in your classroom when it comes to supporting peer relationships among your students.

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Are Your Friends a Good Influence?

Surrounding Yourself With Positive People

• Relationships

Friendships can benefit you in lifting your self-esteem, encouraging you to live healthier, or even just elevating the quality of your life. Your friends should lift you up and help you to be the best person you can be. Here are a few tips on deciding whether or not your friends are a good influence.

You Feel Good After Spending Time With Them

One way to determine if your friends are having a positive effect on you is to gauge your mood after you've been with them. Do you leave feeling energized and happy? If so, chances are your friends are a good influence on your mind and body.

By contrast, if you spend an entire day with your friends and feel out-of-sorts or guilty afterward, your pals may not be as positive as they could be. Your friends don't necessarily need to encourage you to run marathons or help you brainstorm ideas for the next great American novel, but they do need to give you an all-around good feeling.

Negative Behavior That Can Bring You Down

When deciding whether or not your friends are a good influence, it's important to look at the overall big picture. Your friends don't need to be perfect (because none of us are), but they should encourage you. A friend who is a negative influence may want you to:

• Gamble or spend money you don't have
• Make choices that will hurt you or your family.
• Engage in illegal activities
• Shun your other friends

For example, your pals should encourage a healthy lifestyle (since it's something we all should adhere to), but the reality is that you might just splurge on your diet once in a while or skip your exercise class in favor of a movie. It's not the day-to-day activities you look at when determining if someone is good for you. Rather, it's the overall effect someone has on your life.

Finding More Positive Friends

Before you look for new friends, take a look at your friend groups to see if there is perhaps one person that encourages the rest of you to be negative. If that's the case, stand up to them by doing things like refusing to gossip, bowing out of activities that are dangerous or illegal, and making better choices despite what your friends might encourage you otherwise.

When you do this, pay close attention to see if someone else in the group is influenced by your behavior. Your change may inspire others in the group to resist the negativity as well. 

If you do need to find new friends, take it slow and be choosy about who you spend your time with. If you are desperate for friends, you'll probably end up with more of the negative types of friends you just left behind. Instead, hold out for positive friends who will encourage you to be yourself. Figure out the things you like to do, and build friendships around those goals and activities. You'll naturally meet people through hobbies and events you enjoy, and the bonus is that your new friends will probably like doing them as well.

Standing Up to Negative Friends

Sometimes when you leave negative friends behind, they turn the tables and make it your problem. They might hold parties and not invite you, call you up to complain that you're never around, or even spread gossip or lies about you. Be strong with your commitment to living a fuller life that includes more positive friends.​

• Proverbs About Friendship
• Dr. Seuss Friendship Quotes
• Why You Keep Going Back Again and Again to a Friend That Hurts You
• Feeling Left Out of the Crowd? What to Do When Friends Exclude You
• How Self-Esteem Affects Friendship
• Walking Away From a Friend With Respect
• When a Friend Posts Unflattering Pictures of You Online
• 4 Types of People You Should Never Friend on Facebook
• Tips to Find Someone New When You Are a Divorced Dad
• Quotes About Friends by Maya Angelou
• How to Develop a Healthy Platonic Friendship
• How to Handle an Unsupportive Friend
• Distancing Yourself From a Friend
• Signs That Someone Wants to Be Your Friend
• How to Deal With a Friend Who Has Cheated
• Acceptance Into an Existing Group Of Friends

How does your friends influence your personality?

1. Friends affect the ways that you think and feel about yourself. How your friends think about and respond to you will, over time, have a strong influence on your perceptions of yourself. Back in 1999, a group of researchers found what they called the Michelangelo effect.

What can friends provide to affect mental health positively?

It can be a relief to speak about how you’re feeling. A good friend can give us advice on what’s on our mind and offer any support we need. Friends can also provide a distraction; a good laugh with friends can not only boost our mood, but release endorphins (feel-good hormones) into our bodies.

What negative effects can a friendship have on a person?

In an overview of the psychological impacts of bad friendship in the New York Times, experts identified several types of poor behavior that could cause damage: betrayal, peer pressure to behave badly, insults or passive aggression, promise-breaking, contempt, dependency, meddling, and competition feature among them.

Why is it unhealthy to not have friends?

Not having friends may be as deadly as smoking, according to a new Harvard study which found a link between social isolation and levels of a blood-clotting protein which can cause heart attacks and stroke.

Can friends cause emotional trauma?

Abusive friendships can cause depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. And studies show they can be physically damaging, too. A 2014 study found that negative relationships, especially those filled with criticism and arguing, can increase a woman’s risk of developing high blood pressure.

Can you get trauma from toxic friends?

Abusive friendships are more than just drama — they’re real life, and they can be an insidious form of trauma. You deserve healthy, fulfilling relationships that don’t leave you feeling fearful, anxious, or violated.

Can friends give you anxiety?

But other evidence increasingly suggests that bad friends, or even well-intentioned ones with bad habits, can negatively impact your mental health. This causes your mind and body severe stress or leads to problematic patterns.

How your friends make you a better person?

• They Make You A Better Communicator. Best friends are best for a reason.
• They Teach You About Loyalty.
• They Make You Feel Confident And Loved.
• They Challenge Your Shortcomings.
• They Dare You To Try Harder.
• They Make Your Days Brighter Just By Being In Them.

How can I not be influenced by my friends?

• Defriend or unfollow them on social media.
• Avoid talking about them with your mutual friends.
• Avoid answering any texts or phone calls from them.
• Avoid sitting next to them in class or at other events.

Why do we get influenced by others?

We’re all born with a particular temperament, genetics, and neurological wiring. And, of course, external factors, such as culture and socioeconomic status, have a tremendous influence on us. Another factor that shapes us is the people we’ve interacted with throughout our lives.

What is a person with no friends called?

Someone who is friendless has no friends.

Is it healthy to live without friends?

Having no friends doesn’t have to mean that you feel lonely. There’s nothing inherently dangerous or unhealthy about being alone. It’s when isolation causes loneliness that your social health can suffer. It’s perfectly possible to have a full and exciting life when you’re primarily alone.

What are the benefits of having no friends?

Having no friends can boost your creativity In fact, all the time you spend alone can fire up your imagination, and help your creative juices to flow. If you spend time with others, it isn’t bad, but you might get easily distracted. This is especially in case of activities like painting, reading or similar things.

What is a toxic friendship?

“Toxic friendships happen when one person is being emotionally harmed or used by another, making the relationship more of a burden than support,” says Suzanne Degges-White, author of Toxic Friendships. A bad friendship can increase your blood pressure, lower your immunity, and affect your mental health.

How do you recover from a friendship trauma?

• Acknowledge your pain. First, know that your grief is normal.
• Practice self-care.
• Avoid rumination.
• Talk to someone.
• Read about others in your situation.
• Try a new friend group.
• Examine what went wrong in the friendship.

How do you recover from a toxic friendship?

• Cut off contact slowly.
• Accept it’s okay to go on separate paths.
• Be direct and honest.
• Allow yourself to feel.
• Open up to other friends.
• Stop expecting an apology.
• Allow yourself to move on.
• Learn from what happened.

When should you stop being friends with someone?

• You’re not a priority. You may notice that your friend doesn’t make an effort to be with you.
• You don’t connect at the same level. Friendships work best when both people want the same type of connection.
• You give more than you take.

How do you let go of friends who hurt you?

• Realize It’s OK To Go Your Separate Ways.
• Focus On Your Healthy Relationships.
• Don’t Stew In Your Bitterness.
• Don’t Wait For An Apology.
• Gather The Help Of Other Friends.
• Let Yourself Move On.
• Allow Yourself To Be Sad.
• Have Less And Less Contact.

Is it OK to dump friends?

“Occasionally, friendships go sour, and it’s incredibly hard to cut off a friend, but keeping a toxic friend around is draining,” she said. “In the long run, it’s better to cut ties, and find people who appreciate and support you.”

Why do I feel like avoiding my friends?

There are many reasons why you might feel like you don’t need friends. Preferring solitude, being close to members of your family, and being busy with other things are just a few factors that may play a role. Fear of being disappointed or hurt by friends can also be a contributing factor.

What is friendship anxiety?

People with social anxiety disorder tend to have trouble making friends—and to assume the friendships they have are not high quality. The problem with this perception, according to new research, is that their friends don’t necessarily agree.

How does a true friend bring such a change in our life?

Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friends can also: Increase your sense of belonging and purpose. Boost your happiness and reduce your stress.

What does a healthy friendship look like?

Healthy friendships and relationships also mean learning to respect and trust each other. People respect each other for who they are. People may disagree with each other. But with respect and trust, they can talk about how they feel and work things out.

What are the benefits of friendships?

Friends not only prevent loneliness, but they also: Increase your sense of belonging and purpose. Boost your happiness and reduce your stress. Improve your self-confidence and self-worth.

Do friends influence your behavior?

Peer Quality, Not Quantity. Positive and negative peer influences can affect more than just your behavior. They can also change the way you feel. Studies show that, in general, the more friends you have and the more time you spend with them, the happier you are.

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Friendship Day: Ways how friends influence your life and how to nourish your friendships

Updated Aug 7, 2022, 02:22 PM IST

If your social network is healthy, you tend to live a more healthy and long life. An 80-year-long Harvard study suggests that your close relationships are what can keep you happy and healthy.

• Your friends will affect the way you perceive yourself. When you have friends who speak of your positively, you are more likely to think good about yourself and that will have a positive effect on your mind. Similarly, friends who speak badly about you will make you feel inferior and also have a negative impact on your mind.
• Your friends also have an influence on your lifestyle. Friends can also have an impact on the way you dress or eat or the type of music that you listen to. Friends also have an influence on the way you tend to spend your money. If they spend money on irrelevant stuff, you too might tend to spend money the same way.
• Your friends also help influence your social network. And if your social network is healthy, you tend to live a more healthy and long life. An 80-year-long Harvard study suggests that your close relationships are what can keep you happy and healthy.
• Always be kind to your friends.
• Be a good listener to your friends.
• Talk to your friends often.
• Make time for your friends.
• Show your friends that they can trust you.

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Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Friendship — How Good Friends Influence Your Future

How Good Friends Influence Your Future

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

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The influence of good friends on personal development, the role of good friends in academic success, the impact of good friends on mental health and well-being.

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Tips for the College Interview Question "Who Has Most Influenced You?"

• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

Interview questions about influential people can come in many variations: Who is your hero? Who deserves the most credit for your success? Who is your role model? In short, the question is asking you to discuss someone you admire.

Interview Tips: Who Has Most Influenced you?

• You don't have to be creative with this question. Just be honest and thoughtful. Family members, teachers, and friends are all fine answers.
• Be careful with polarizing political figures since it can a challenge for your interviewer to be entirely unbiased.
• Don't try to impress your interviewer with historical figures like Abraham Lincoln or Mother Theresa.
• Focus on a human, not a pet.

Good Interview Answers About an Influential Person

So, who should you name as a hero or influential person? Speak from the heart here. There is no right answer other than a sincere answer. Also, realize that unlike a "hero," an influential person isn't always a positive example. You may have grown and changed as a result of someone whose mistakes or inappropriate behavior taught you what  not  to do with your life. Answers to the question can draw from lots of different options:

• A Family Member— For most of us, parents and siblings have a huge impact on our lives. Answering with a family member is fairly predictable but also perfectly appropriate. Just make sure you can articulate the specific ways in which the family member influenced you.
• A Teacher— Is there a particular teacher who got you excited about learning, a subject area, or continuing your education? Since you're interviewing in an effort to continue your education, focusing on an educator can be an excellent choice.
• A Friend— For good or bad, your close friends have a huge influence on your decisions and behavior. Do you have a close friend who has helped you succeed in high school? Or, depending on how the question is worded, do you have a friend who influenced you in a negative way?
• A Coach— Coaches often teach us leadership, responsibility and teamwork. As long as your response doesn't reveal that you value athletics more than academics, a coach can be a great choice. Try to articulate how your coach has helped you succeed in areas other than sports.
• A Community Member— Do you have a mentor in the church or some other community organization? Community members often teach us to think outside of the narrow sphere of our families.

Bad Interview Answers

This question about an influential person, like many common interview questions , is not difficult, but you do want to think about it for a few minutes before your interview. A few answers can fall flat, so think twice before giving responses such as these:

• Myself— In truth, you probably are the person who is most responsible for your success. You may, in fact, be self-reliant with no real heroes. However, if you answer this question with yourself you will sound self-absorbed and selfish. Colleges want to admit students who help each other out and work as a community. They don't want solitary egotists.
• Gandhi or Abe Lincoln— If you have great respect for an admirable historical figure, that's wonderful. Such answers, however, can come across sounding like you're trying to make a good impression, not like you're answering the question sincerely. In your day-to-day life of classes, extracurricular activities , tests, and relationships, is Abe Lincoln really influencing your behavior? If he is, fine. If not, rethink your answer and work to speak from the heart.
• Donald Trump or Barack Obama— Here, as with the example above, is the president (or Senator, Governor, etc.) really influencing and guiding you in your day-to-day life? This question has an added danger. Your interviewer will do his or her best to be unbiased, but interviewers are human. If you name a Democrat and your interviewer is a staunch Republican, your response could create a subconscious strike against you in the interviewer's mind. Both Trump and Obama can be polarizing figures, so be aware of the inherent risks before choosing a prominent political figure for your response.
• God— At a college with a religious affiliation, God could be a fine answer. At many colleges, however, the answer is a crap shoot. The admissions officer may admire your faith. Some interviewers, however, will be skeptical of students who attribute their successes to prayer and divine guidance rather than commitment and hard work. That said, you certainly don't need to shy away from your faith in your interview, and a priest or rabbi can be an excellent choice for this interview question.
• My Dog— Fido may be a great pet who has taught you responsibility and unconditional love, but keep your answer in the world of humans. Colleges are made up of humans.

A Final Word

Whatever your answer, bring the influential person to life for your interviewer. Avoid vague generalities. As with an admissions essay on an influential person , you'll want to provide colorful, entertaining, and specific examples of how the person has influenced you. Also, keep in mind that a strong answer provides a window into your life and personality, not just the admirable qualities of the influential person. The ultimate goal of the interviewer is to get to know you better, not the person you admire.

Finally, make sure you dress appropriately and avoid common interview mistakes . College interviews are generally congenial exchanges of information, so try to relax and have a good time chatting with the college representative.

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