Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together, stated Woodrow Wilson generations ago. Considering the stress from today’s current events, spending quality time with friends—personal and professional—may be a most effective treatment.
Young children are brought together by their parents and schools, typically coming from similar environments. Consequently, they are relatively homogenous as they develop self-esteem and self-identity. Lacking independent transportation, children stay close to home and school. Prior to the Internet age, their scope was also limited.
Adolescents and young adults search for friends who look like themselves. Dressing similarly, enjoying the same activities, and “hanging out” with academically or athletically similar kids is common and healthy for personality development. Independence takes a giant step forward when bike riding/public transportation/chauffeuring converts to a driver’s license.
Young adults’ friendships blossom as they break away from their parents’ homes and old neighborhoods. Networking, tied into career development, superimposed on romantic ties creates complex, productive, and energetic relationships. Advancing to where one is headed stimulates changes as young adults seek others with complementary personalities, not identical ones.
Next, families are formed, parenting happens, and lifestyles change dramatically—all of which encourage parents with similar interests, attributes, and desires to find each other. Mutually supportive friendships form by the swing set in the park, during school parents’ meetings, and at other common events involving child nurturing.
Mature adults, who have their children launched, may be caring for aging parents. Regardless, those in this age group, while paring down the number of friends, still select people who are relevant with common interests and beliefs. At this later age, adults have no need to posture, network, or associate with those who do not create positive energy. Adults have both the confidence and ability to find others whose company they will enjoy.
Older adults, conscious of the value of each day, want to spend time with family and friends who bring joy into their lives. Depression and loneliness, common throughout life but even more exacerbated by pandemic isolation, make maintaining friendships essential.
Common to all life’s stages is the connection between health and friendship. Good friends are good for your health, as shared in a
Mayo Clinic healthy lifestyle essay. While preventing loneliness and supporting companionship, friendships increase belonging, enhance purpose, boost happiness, reduce stress, improve self-confidence, and help cope with trauma—all while avoiding unhealthy lifestyle habits.
Friends with strong social support networks have lower rates of depression, hypertension, and obesity. A Blue Zones Power 9® principle is that people with friends live longer. Nurturing relationships takes time and energy, but the investment is worthwhile. Creating a brighter future with friends is productive for all.