Friendships Can Help to Keep You Healthy!

It has been proven that the close relationships you form with others outside of your family can be most beneficial to your mental health and overall sense of well being. As long as it is a friendship based on mutual respect, mutual admiration and similar interests, these relationships help us deal with stress, problems and also can provide us with a souding board and source that we can go to for advice, sympathy and understanding when needed. It's also just plain enjoyable having the company and camaraderie of someone who sees the world similarly as we do.

This is true for both males and females. Guys and girls alike benefit tremendously from having close, positive friendships in their lives.
People are sometimes better able to divulge information and personal situations to those outside of their family, and can sometimes trust them with deep personal issues more easily than with a family member. This provides a much needed outlet and source that you can rely on that might be less judgmental than your family can sometimes be. It also can help to foster and support who you are as a individual apart from your family.

Having a few important, close friends far outweighs having many casual friends, Although casual acquaintances serve a similarly good purpose as well, exposing one to new thoughts, surroundings and experiences.
Even if you are a "lone wolf" or one who is a bit of an introvert and stay to yourself type person, remember that having at least one or two people in your life that you can really relate to will help to make a much happier and healthier you!