The friends you need
If you think back to a time in your life when you felt your most happy, energised and optimistic, the chances are it would be a time when your friendships were positive and plentiful. There’s nothing quite like the company of good friends to lift your spirits, help put things in perspective, and make you laugh out loud. Our friends aren’t just good for a giggle, however; they’re vital for our health, with research showing that people with positive friendships live longer and healthier lives.
The extent to which friendship influences our wellbeing is evidenced in studies of people living in Blue Zones – areas(Bloomsbury, £10.99), explains: ‘All the evidence shows that the longest lives are the happiest lives, and the most dependable thing you can do to boost happiness and add length to your life is to have a close circle of friends. These are people you can talk to, share values and interests with, and keep each other’s minds challenged.’
