FRIENDSHIP

I'd like you to take a moment to think about your own friends. Are you the type of person who has one best friend, or do you prefer a few close friends? Well, if you answered yes to either of these questions, consider yourself fortunate, because dependable friendships bring some amazing benefits. It is probably no surprise to you that close friendships are good for us. However, the list of actual medical advantages is quite remarkable. Research shows that our good friendships can help us to reduce our blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol levels, as well as to lower our stress levels. In other words, solid, dependable friendships help us to live a longer, healthier life. The nice thing about our friendships is that they are ties we choose to develop, sustain, and nurture. When we are young, we seek companionship by befriending dogs, cats, dolls, and stuffed animals. As we grow into adolescence and later into adulthood, good friends can become more than just companions. A good friend is there through the good and bad times. A good friend is someone who loves you in spite of yourself. They laugh with you, cry with you, listen to your problems, tell you the truth when you don't want to hear it, and even keep your secrets. And now, you can add the positive health benefits of friendship to that list! While this information probably won't make you change how you feel about your friends, it may make you appreciate them even more. And may I remind you, that the benefits of our friendships work both ways! - Bethea