International Friendship Day 2022: Friendship is a treasured relationship. Helps improve lifestyle, causing positive changes in life. It also helps bring happiness and is based on mutual respect and love. A true friendship can change the entire course of a person’s life. It is a type of relationship that goes beyond all kinds of barriers and is built on acceptance, affection and respect. Speaking to HT Lifestyle, Dr. Jitender Jakhar, Consultant Psychiatrist at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj said: “The best relationship for a human being is one that is unconditional, trustworthy and has mutual respect and mutual understanding. It can be between parents-children, between couples, teacher and student, brother, senior-junior, but the best relationship that a human being can derive from his social environment is friendship. The presence of a healthy friendship can enrich your life with happiness and well-being and protects you against adversity.”
Friendship also affects mental health in many ways. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Syed Zafar Sultan Rizvi, Assistant Professor, Deptt. of Psychology, SLA, Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences, Noida International University scored the effects of friendship in a person’s mental health:
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social support system: Friendship is born from the friendship of a person. social environment. It also acts as a social support system for the person and helps them navigate through life.
Stress: When close friendship increases, self-esteem and psychosocial adjustment are also facilitated, and the level of stress, anxiety and depression decreases significantly. Even for the youngest adults, those who have friendships in the preteen period are more likely to develop a higher level of enjoyment, intimacy, emotional support, sensitivity, loyalty, mutual affection, and a higher quality of life.
Persecution: Friendship also reduces the chance of being victimized by peers. If victimization occurs, it cushions the negative effect. Children who are victimized by their peers often express hostility, aggression, or withdrawal from social interactions.
cognitive resources: Reciprocal friendships can provide cognitive and affective resources, foster a sense of well-being, socialize both parties, facilitate mastery of age-related tasks, and provide developmental advantages that can extend into old age, but without much emphasis on research.
Greater satisfaction in old age: “Studies report that older adults who have a good support network and an active social life are associated with greater satisfaction in old age. This healing power of friendship grows linearly as you grow old together through the thick and thin of your life,” said Dr. Jitender Jakhar.
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