Winnie knows best! Why friends are good for your health

“A day without a friend is like a pot without a single drop of honey left inside.” Winnie the Pooh truly grasped the concept of friendship. After more than a year of social distancing, let’s go back to the roots of friendship and how it has an important impact on our own health.

We are a social species, so much so that a lack of connection to others can seriously impact mental health. Even the World Economic Forum warns of a ‘loneliness pandemic’. It’s clear that we need friends more than ever.

The United Nations says friendship is the key to long lasting stability in the world – it’s why it began observing International Friendship Day in 2011. Studies have also found that connecting with other people socially, whether it’s a brief daily interaction, a casual chat, or spending time with a special friend, reduces stress. Positive relationships can even lead to a longer life!

Social health is one of three innate psychological needs, along with competence and autonomy, according to the American Psychological Association. Interacting with people makes you feel independent and capable, and it improves your mental health.

“Social health is one of the four pillars of our approach to holistic health, along with physical, mental and financial health. Friendship can have an impact on all of these,” says Kelly Belcher, People Officer at LiveWell, the digital health solution from Zurich Insurance Group.

True friends are never apart…

During the past 18 months of social distancing and isolation, many close relationships have played a key role in supporting people. And with lockdowns still in effect in some parts of the world, reconnecting with friends in person continues to pose a challenge. As digital connections prevail, the pandemic is and has been a period for true friends to really show up.

Kelly describes how her own friendships evolved due to the pandemic: “Over the last 18 months I have valued my friendships more than ever, they have provided a welcome escape from what, at times, felt like groundhog day working and living at home. I reminded myself of the power of laughter, just having some time on the phone or video calls with my friends and hearing about their challenges or the common frustrations with home schooling (none of us ever wanted to be teachers) was good for the soul and reminded us we were not alone.”

Although there were the ways to connect digitally, the impact of COVID-19 on friendships has been profound. In 2019, the average person aged between 13-75, had 7.2 good friends and 4.3 best friends. According to the Friendship Report 2020, which surveyed nearly 30,000 people, COVID-19 has impacted 33 percent of friendships. 47 percent of these were for the better, but 53 percent said they didn’t feel as close as they were before the pandemic. With physical distance being the top reason that people state for losing contact with friends, the need to shout about the positive benefits of friendship is clear.

Despite us being a social species, we’re not all equal when it comes to making friends. To some of us, it comes naturally. For others, it can be more awkward, particularly when faced with isolation and a lack of ‘water cooler moments’ to connect with others.

Be a good friend back

The connection between health and friendship is one that could literally save your life. Even if you feel like you have enough friends, why not use this International Day of Friendship to reach out to someone who might not be so fortunate?

“True friendship is a two way street, let your friends know that you care about and appreciate them, be kind, honest and listen. Being a friend is sometimes all that is needed to help others overcome challenges or brighten their day,” adds Kelly.

Insights from LiveWell

Learn more about LiveWell at https://livewell.zurich.com