Ladies and gentlemen, there are very few things in the world with more value than a good friend. Whether a pen pal from across the country, the neighbor next door, or someone a few hours down the road, having someone who you can talk to can be the difference between surviving in life, and life being enjoyable.
I am
blessed with great friends! My friend. Shelby, for example, is a first rate
make up artist and hair stylist. Twice now she’s driven hours to do
my make up for an event, or, tonight, to whip up a fun new color, cut, and
style for my hair, free of charge! I am FEELING the love.
And, according to research, all the love I feel from my friends can have long term, life altering benefits!
According
to Psychology Today, friends are important to our development and
mental health. Among the impact friends have on us, friends support you, help
define your priorities, and help you feel less lonely. Friends help us
develop as children, find our place as teens, and navigate the trials of life as
adults.
Additional
research shows that having friends can lessen risk of death in cancer
patients and people with heart conditions, and increase longevity. A
2006 study shows that women suffering breast cancer are 4 times as likely
to survive if they have a circle of close friends, regardless of how close they
live to those friends. In fact, friends are more important to the success rates
of cancer survivors than even family or spouses, making friendships some of the
most important relationships of your life! Rebecca G. Adams, a
professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro says of
her research on friendships, “Friendship has a bigger impact on our
psychological well-being than family relationships.”
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| My BFF Shelby - Isn't she GORGEOUS?!? |
And
in a truly bad month, a friend going out of her way to let me know she cares
can be the best medicine of all.
Who
is your best friend? What impact do they have on your life? Let me know in the
comments!
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