We need people, and people need us
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“When the road looks rough ahead
And you’re miles and miles
From your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy, you’ve got a friend in me…
You’ve got a friend in me“
Recognize it? That feel-good song by Randy Newman from 1995.
No? Not yet? Do you know the movie Toy Story? No? No problem, this blog won’t be about the movie. We just think this song illustrates so well how important good friendships/relationships are. No matter how deep the valley or how rocky the road may be – having a good friend to count on during these times is truly something to be grateful for.
We all know it: You talk on the phone for 30 minutes with your best friend or have lunch with a colleague, and suddenly – the annoyance over the boss is only half as big or the disappointment from the last date isn’t that bad anymore. We need people, and people need us. They comfort us when we’re sad, help us when we need assistance, listen to us when we need someone to listen, and give us advice when we’re clueless. Humans aren’t meant to be alone. We are social beings. Of course, there are individual differences. Some need others more, some manage well on their own. But at the latest, when our lives are falling apart, we need people to catch us and accompany us through the crisis.
Why friendships are important
Social support is one of the best-documented factors for successfully coping with crises. There are numerous studies showing that social support is an important factor for mental health. Family, friends, colleagues, acquaintances, neighbors… they can all be social supports for us.
Social relationships satisfy the basic human needs for attachment, protection, and security. A stable social network has a “buffer effect.” The support of other people helps to cushion the negative effects of a critical life event or stress. We need people who can help us in certain situations.
5 Friends for Your 5 Areas of Life
Think about whether you have someone for each crucial area of life who would stand by you and sing “You’ve got a friend in me.”
- Family & Relationships: Do you have at least one person who loves you unconditionally?
- Career & Further Education: Is there someone in your life who can also give you professional advice?
- Health & Body: Who in your life helps you protect and maintain your health?
- Inspiration & Motivation: Is there someone who inspires, encourages, and motivates you to take new steps in life or to be brave?
- Practical & Material: Is there someone in your environment who can support you in financial need or in practical areas such as childcare or household chores?
Strong relationships are an important resilience factor
Social support is considered one of the crucial factors for mental well-being. When a person knows they can rely on their family and friends, they can cope with stressful situations much better. But it’s also important that we pay attention to reciprocity. That means, I start by questioning myself: In which area of life can I be a support, a true friend to the other person?
I wish you have people in your life who support you, who are there for you, and for whom you are there when you both need each other. I wish your network for new friendships and relationships never closes. Because sometimes people come into our lives whom we didn’t expect. And others we’ve always counted on disappear.
