Friendships are invaluable and they need to be appreciated more, 10 reasons why

Grab your BFF - and tell them you love them

Our mates play such a big part in our lives from an early age - and we may be taking them for granted (Getty)

The importance of appreciating those who care about us cannot be argued enough. Friends make us happy in ways we probably hadn't even given much thought about. A friend is someone who chooses to accept us as we are, despite the faults we possess. For a person to be able to accept us - particularly during times when we may not even accept ourselves - is something inexpressibly beautiful. At the end of the day, they’re extraordinary and invaluable.

In a study at Harvard Medical School involving more than 309,000 participants, results revealed a “lack of strong relationships increased the risk of premature death from all causes by 50 per cent.” To put this into perspective, this effect on mortality risk is “roughly comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and greater than obesity and physical inactivity.”

The invaluable role friendship plays both in our daily lives and emotional wellbeing is underappreciated, so take a look at why our friends are imperative:

1) Emotional support

Trying to mask how we feel can be suffocating. It takes a person who honestly cares about our wellbeing to listen to how we feel. Even when words fail to express our thoughts, somehow, our friends know how to save us; they are the ones who can provide an external release on those not-so-good days.

2) They believe in us when we don’t

Sometimes it takes someone else to help us appreciate what we fail to realise ourselves. When our self-worth is missing, they try to build our self-esteem. It is our friends that are, not only able to increase our self-confidence, but can create it.

3) Personal advisers

Our worries may often seem petty to ourselves, and we may even fear we are being irritating when trying to discuss them; a friend is there to listen. More than idly nodding, our friends respond in an attempt to help cease our worry.

4) They make us laugh

According to a small study in 2011, spending time with friends can help decrease stress levels. After all, it’s our mates who are able to make us laugh. They have the ability to calm us, sometimes without even meaning to.

5) New perspectives

They actually tell us their point of view in a helpful manner and, in turn, help us to re-evaluate our own.

6) They are the truth

Friendship is not something that can be artificially created; a true pal speaks honestly, particularly in times when we may need honesty the most.

7) Revealing your true self

Letting the social façade we create for ourselves be unmasked can be frightening. It is our friends who let us feel comfortable in our skin and happy that we can be ourselves around others.

8) They accept our faults

They see every part of us and yet still want to be around us.

9) Facing issues together

Friends selflessly take on our problems as though they were their own. They do not let you face hardship alone.

10) They make time for us

For a friend, you are part of their schedule. Seeing you is something they value and, in turn, you value even more.

Twitter: @gracie__f