Those who have friends have a stronger immune system, a more stable psyche and recover more quickly after illness. If current studies are to be believed, four out of five German citizens have close friends, on average about three. A network of stable, intensive friendships helps to significantly prolong life, because in difficult times it is above all friends who can help you tackle problems and raise your self-esteem again. Those who are picked up by friends in times of need usually end up softer. After all, today it is no longer a matter of course that a life partner, parents or other family members are always in the immediate vicinity.
Ingredients for a long friendship
But what is the secret of a long, intense friendship? In a good mixture of pleasant closeness and healthy distance. In the fact that friends can talk about everything, have a basic understanding of each other and trust each other. Friendships are the second closest relationships there are – after love relationships.
An intense friendship does not depend on how often you see each other. Rather, “ideal vibrations” prevail between friends, in short: harmony. People feel comfortable together, treat each other honestly and respectfully, and do not violate the trust placed in each other.
Studies show that like and like tend to mix in friendships: a similar social status, profession, age and type of humor all play a role. But friendships also need to be nurtured, because people don’t stay the same, they change. Those who at some point only reminisce about old times may suppress the present. He fails to realize that his sandbox friend has long since distanced himself inwardly – and is surprised when he quietly says goodbye.
