BENEFIT OF FRIENDSHIP

Back in our primary school days, making new friends seemed so easy, all we needed was a few shared hobbies and value on the playground, and an unbreakable bond would be forged.

Friendship is no less important later in life, all manner of difficult experiences and awkward changes are easier to bear with a good friend.

Friendship has both its physical and emotional benefit, let’s take a look at few of these benefits;

● Spending time with friends is deeply gratifying for most people, and it carries some surprising effects; not only does it improve our mood and self – esteem, it also “reduces stress”.

● Friendship is an excellent prescription for all kinds of physical and emotional pain. It is reported that friendship can “increase your sense of belonging and purpose, boost your happiness, reduce stress, improve your self – worth and help cope with traumas”.

It is no surprise then that most people greatly value their friends and often turn to them first in times of crisis, even before spouses or relatives. Simply put “good friends are good for your health”.

What Makes A Friend

What do most people look for in a friend? Typically the answer is themselves.

While the benefit of friendship comes naturally, friendship usually does not, it can be difficult to find people with similar interest and values; this is especially true during adulthood, when responsibilities like career, education and family care severely limits your social life.

However in order to know what makes a friend, you have to know how to be a good friend, by being one yourself.

Being a good friend is not always easy, but taking time to nurture a lasting friendship is worth every ounce (unit of weight) of effort.

I remember a lady telling how hard it was to maintain or even keep a friend to herself, she was so bitter that most of the people that came her way which she called friend were all back stabbers, each of the friend she knew or kept either snatches or takes away her boyfriend, some even gossips her behind and never told her where her mistakes were and how to correct them, some even went as far as spoiling her names in the present of others, until she came across an angel according to her description, someone who walked and told her the truth of life, who made her understand what friendship really was, someone that made her know that to keep a friend, she has to be one herself. I tell you all, till date the lady understands what true friendship really means and feels happy each day she remembers her God sent friend.

 To be a good friend and to deepen a friendship to make it last, you must;

Be Trustworthy: learn to keep your promise, try not to make a promise you can’t keep. If any case arises that won’t make you keep such promises, enable to tell your friend of the current situation and trust that the friendship is strong enough for the NO’s and as well the Yes’s …. But try not to make a habit of it, nobody is perfect, it’s okay if you skip out on a promise once in a while.

When you make a promise, show that you mean every word you have said, instead of just saying it because you think that you should.

Be Dependable: it is hard to rely on a person who does not behave in a consistent and trustworthy way, your friends will need you for support especially in hard times. If you know you cannot do something, don’t agree to it and later back out, instead be honest about the fact that you are sure if you can make it – your friends should always feel like they can count on you even when the going gets tough.

Say Sorry When You Have Made A Mistake: if you know you have made a mistake, own up to it instead of being in denial. When you say sorry, you should mean it, let your friend hear the sincerity in your voice instead of thinking that you don’t care how they feel.

Be Loyal/Honest: if your friend tells you something in confidence, keep it and don’t tell anyone else, just as you expect your friend to do to you, also you have to be honest with your friends, let he or she know your feelings and actions about them, and how you feel about your friendship.

Be real; connect with people whom you value on a deep level if you want to have sustainable long term friendship.

Be Respectful: good friends show respect for each other by being openly and mutually supportive. Sometimes you may find what your friend is saying to be boring, uncomfortable or annoying, but if you have respect for your friend, you will give your friend the space to speak and to do so without judgment

Help Your Friends Deal With Their Struggles: to be supportive, you will have to be able to watch out for your friends when they are having a tough time. If you have a feeling, that your friend is getting into some sort of trouble over which they have little control such as taking drugs, help him or her get away from such situation by not being afraid to speak up about it or feel awkward about it…. let your friend know that you can give him a shoulder to cry.

Give A Thoughtful Advice: to be a good friend you should be able to weigh your friend’s situation from his or her perspective and to provide your opinion without insisting that your friend should do whatever you say. Don’t judge your friend, simply advise him or her when he or she reaches out.

Give Your Friend Some Space When He / She Needs It: part of being supportive means supporting the fact that your friend won’t always want to spend time with you. Learn to step back and give your friend space.

Learn To Forgive: if you want your friendship to last, then you should be able to forgive your friend and to move forward, if you hold a grudge and let your bitterness and resentment build up, then you won’t be able to move forward.

Accept Your Friend For Who They Are: don’t try to change your friend or make your friend see the world from your own perspective. Learn to accept them for who they really are.