You Gotta Have Friends

Quick Win

It’s easy to let friendships slide when we get busy. Use today to think about who is important to you — and to reconnect with one friend.

Try This Today

• Make a list of the friends you want to stay close with — newer and old pals, local or far-flung. One question that might help: Who makes you feel joyful and supported when you think of them?
• Call or text one friend and suggest connecting today, in person or via phone or video chat.
• Keep it simple. No need to plan a four-course meal or a big excursion. Meet for coffee, go for a hike together or, for a long-distance friend, put your earbuds in and catch up while you’re walking the neighborhood.

Why

A growing body of research points to the protective effects social support may have on health and, on the flip side, the potential harms of isolation and loneliness. A 2021 report in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine describes these findings, emphasizing the importance of social connection for health and longevity. Friendship, in particular, was the subject of a study published in Frontiers in Psychology in 2021 that looked at data from more than 320,000 people from 99 countries. Cultural and socioeconomic variables affected the results, but overall, prioritizing friendships was associated with better health and well-being.