Surprising Benefits of Friendship

The bonds of friendship have been known to get people through messy divorces, family and career issues, even losing a loved one. Friendship remains one of the strongest relationships a person can have. This is especially true for women, who are programmed for close knit relationships and benefit both physically and emotionally from tight social networks.

Knowing you have another person in your life to rally for you during difficult times makes life's hardships more bearable and easier to overcome. O Magazine reported the findings of a study from the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology showing the effects of friendship on how people perceive challenges. The study asked participants to stand at the base of a hill and estimate how difficult it would be to climb it. Participants who had friends with them during the study estimated the difficulty of climbing it to be less than those who were alone.

Having a close circle of friends is also beneficial to ones' physical health, which is especially important during a woman's golden years when she is at highest risk for developing health conditions. A strong network of friends helps keep high blood pressure at bay and reduces the risk of depression, according to O Magazine.

Do you notice how you always feel better after talking to a friend about an issue at work or a fight with your husband? The harmful effects of stress, which raise the risk of developing any number of health conditions, are lessened by having a strong support system. Being able to rely on, confide in, and laugh with friends all help relieve tension and lower stress levels.