Social psychologists explain the "why" behind the "what". Here goes.
People talk about “friends” differently from “acquaintances. The more “friends” you have, however you define them, the healthier you are. The sense of belonging is essential to mental health.
On the hierarchy of needs, belonging is just above the food, clothing, shelter, safety level. It’s just that important.
Having social support reduces depression, anxiety and encourages more effective problem-solving.
The shared emotional experience reduces sorrow and pain, enhances joy and celebration. Of course, there’s give and take.
This reciprocity gives us opportunities to participate in peoples’ lives which make us healthy.
Participating in and observing acts of kindness and compassion causes our brains to release oxytocin, sometimes called the “love drug” because it is activated through acts of love.
Be wary of those friends who take more than they give or who are toxic and not truly engaged with you. It may be time to move on.
And I am all alone.
There is no one here beside me.
And my problems have all gone.
There is no one to deride me.
But you got to have friends.
The feeling's oh so strong.
You got to have friends
To make that day last long.
I had some friends but they're gone,
Somethin' came and took them away.
And from the dusk 'til the dawn
Here is where I'll stay.
Standing at the end of the road, boys,
Waiting for my new friends to come.
I don't care if I'm hungry or poor,
I'm gonna get me some of them.
'Cause you got to have friends.
Da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, da, friends.
That's right you, oh you, yeah you,
I said you gotta have some friends,
I'm talkin' about friends, that's right, friends.
Friends, friends, friends.
I had some friends, oh, but they're all gone, gone,
Someone came and snatched them away.
And from the dusk until the very dawn, you know,
Here is where I gotta stay, here is where I gotta stay.
And I'm standing at the end of a real long road
And I'm waiting for my new friends to come.
I don't care if I'm hungry or freezin' cold,
I'm gonna get me some of them.
'Cause you gotta have friends,
That's right, friends, friends.
I gotta me my, I gotta me my, I gotta me my,
Look around and see all of my friends.
Oh, friends, that's right, friends, friends,
Friends, friends, friends, friends, oh,
Friends, you gotta have friends.