Unlike the relationship one has with family, friendships are formed because the people involved genuinely like each other. That is not to say that family members cannot also be friends, but non related friendships bring something special into someone’s life – the knowledge that someone likes you because of who you are and that they have chosen your companionship.

Men and Women Are Different

Men and women need friends for different reasons. Men enjoy active relationships and having buddies around to do things with, whether it is playing golf or watching football. Friendship between men does not need conversation. Men rely on their friends when they need physical help, like building projects or moving furniture. Their friendships are action friendships.

Female friendships are more emotional. Women enjoy doing things together, but theirs is a social relationship. Female friendships provide social support.

Health Benefits

No matter the function of the friendship, having friends provides a number of health benefits. Having good friends wards off loneliness and the health problems that often come with loneliness, like depression.

Friendships help reduce stress and the way people cope with stress. A man will call a friend to head to the driving range to hit balls. A woman will call a friend for a shoulder to cry on. For both sexes, friendships provide a supportive network, and that support system helps people weather life’s transitions better.

Research also shows that friendship has a real value when it comes to the most common physical ailments. Having good friends can contribute to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, and promotes physical and emotional healing. Because of the nature of friendship between women, the physical health aspects are enhanced. Having friendships might even explain why women tend to have longer lives and lower rates of heart disease than men. Men enjoy their friendships with other men, but unlike women, they don’t talk about their problems or share their feelings when something is bothering them. This tendency to hold things inside can cause a negative health reaction.

Friendship is a hormonal thing, too. The hormone oxytocin increases in times of isolation or stress. When women spend time with friends this hormone levels out, leaving behind a feeling of calmness.