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May 16, 2023Coming or Going Friendship is a 2way street
Friendship is another way of having a relationship, the bond with a friend is a strong one, in psychology friendship start to develop from early age as early as 5 years olds when our friend is a brother or sister and later at school we make new friends. How we behave or how we see friendship it depend on the environment we grew up, family circle and the peers.
Friendship is the single most important thing affecting our psychological health and well being, as well as our physical health and well being.’
Spending time with our friends releases endorphins in the brain and makes us happy.
This is Professor Robin Dunbar’s response to the Welcome Collection’s latest exhibition ‘On Happiness’, and there is a wealth of research that might back up his statement.
Indeed, good friendships may be essential for well being at every stage of life. Making friends is crucial for children in their development and ability to form later relationships.
And the bedrock of childhood friendships may start with play – which hones social and communication skills.
The flip side of friendship
But are there downsides to friendship? Certainly, feeling socially rejected can be painful, especially for teenagers.
And one in three children may experience the flipside of friendship – enemy ship or ‘antipathetic relationships’, at any given time according to research.
Teen friendships can be complicated, with former friends or current ‘frenemies’ more likely to bully within their own social circle.
The current Covid-19 pandemic means that reinvigorating our social connections may be especially important, particularly for new mothers.
Psychologists have been aware of how children may have been impacted by time away from friends and have called on the UK government to prioritize play for children. Lock down loneliness may have particularly profound effects in older adults, especially those with dementia.
Repeated lock downs have made us rethink the ways we stay in contact with friends.
No matter the distance if a friend is in help modewe always make sure we help how we can, friends are not only for a laugh but when we need them the most. They say true friends showing the faces when we are in danger and I believe this is true.
Maintaining lifelong friendships provides deep fulfillment and meaning. A few key practices can ensure that those bonds don’t fade over time. Friendships require that both people invest time into the relationship, cultivate trust and honesty, and work through disagreements when they arise.
How can I maintain healthy friendships long-term?
Strong friendships are built on a foundation of honesty and trust. Providing an honest perspective, repairing ruptures by apologizing or sharing your feelings, and consistently making time for the people you care about are the pillars that support a lifelong connection.
How can I overcome conflict in a friendship?
Disagreements are bound to happen over the course of a long relationship. When expressing your concern, show that you want to find a solution rather than alienate the other person.
Explain how their actions made you feel, invite them to do the same, and ask for the change you’d like to see. When handled correctly, conflict can strengthen relationships
The way we connect with our friends may change as we get older, or as technology opens up new ways of connecting.
Teenagers today can harness social media to communicate with friends in a way previous generations could not.
They may have different types of friendship, with online and offline groups of friends – that may or may not overlap.
Friendship may also be pivotal in boosting societal harmony. Contact theory – the idea that positive contact such as friendships between different groups can promote positive attitudes, has been studied as a way to reduce prejudice towards immigrants and promote intercultural relations.
For example, studies in children have shown that white British schoolchildren with friends of south-Asian origin tended to have more positive attitudes towards those of south-Asian origin.
We also value friendship in our cultural life.
The book, Dr Who Psychology, looked at the ideal sidekick for the Time Lord Dr Who, and suggested that as well as being highly empathetic and resilient, they might have traits in common with polar explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ideal traveling companion too. The developing friendships of children also provide fascinating fodder for TV, inspiring program mes such as The Secret Lives of 4 Year Olds.
How do I make friends as an adult?
Adult friendships don’t happen automatically—they require intention, time, and effort. Take initiative by researching a local running group or inviting a coworker to coffee.
Throughout the process of getting to know someone, affirm who they are by showing enthusiasm about their interests or complimenting them. Be consistent and reliable, so that the connection solidifies.
What conversation tips can help when meeting new people?
Show interest in others by asking questions, and then asking follow-up questions.
Open up about your own experiences, stories, and insight as well. Shift topics if the conversation begins to lull, and try to avoid complaining—which people view as one of the top traits that makes someone boring.
How can I overcome shyness?
Push yourself out of your comfort zone in small ways, such as by asking one question during a meeting or starting one conversation at a party. Reflecting on the discrepancy between how bad you thought past gatherings would be and how bad they actually were can help, too. These ideas and others can soothe the stress of being shy.
Strong friendships are a critical aspect of most people’s emotional well-being. Research indicates that close friendships are associated with greater happinesss, self-esteem, and sense of purpose.
These bonds are even associated with physical outcomes, such as lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.
What are the physical benefits of friendship?
Research has long revealed that people with close connections are healthier, recover from certain illnesses more quickly, and live longer. New evidence suggests that friendship confers the most benefit during adolescence and old age.
What are the emotional benefits of friendship?
Friendship creates a foundation through which we can develop social skills, advance our careers and romantic relationships, and enjoy compassion and support. Here are 15 ways that friendship can shape well-being
Dedicated to those friends that I lost to a disease, those who are still around and those who disappear with no explanation (I am sure there is always a good excuse as to why they behave like this ) and for my future friends .
G.I.T.C
