More than anything, happiness comes from within ourselves and the people with whom we share our lives. Happiness depends on the quality of close social relationships we develop with family and friends.
There have been numerous studies proving the positive influence friendships have on wellbeing. Studies show if you have five or more friends with whom you can discuss an important matter with, you’re far more likely to describe yourself as “very happy.” We feel safe and relaxed when we communicate with friends, and it is easier to practice our cognitive skills -- focus, memory, creativity... Close relationships also affect the quality of our health and can improve our heart health and decrease the level of stress in our lives, and contribute to shorter periods of healing. Some studies show that social connections can provide a longer life.
I am sure that we have all had friendships where we felt doubt about the relationship or tasted a bitter side of the friendship. But that doesn’t mean we should stop believing in true friendship. We should put effort in cultivating friendly relationships. The quality of a social life is not measured by the numbers of friends we have, but through the quality of social connections. How do we estimate the quality of relationships with friends?
1. Mutual Love and Understanding - a friend is someone who loves you and therefore understands everything about you.
2. Support - friends take care of each other. 3. Happiness - A good friend accepts your success with joyfulness (no indifference, jealousy or anxious feelings).
4. Development - In choosing our friends, we accept a certain value system. Who you choose to be with can ultimately determine who you are and who you become.
5. Relaxation and Fun - friends can give us feelings of safety and security which enable us to relax. If we are relaxed and happy, we attract new people allowing the opportunity to spread an epidemic of friendship and happiness…the only happiness where there is no expiration date.
Be friendly and keep in mind that friendship doesn't happen by itself. Friendship needs time and effort. Even the best of friends can sometimes disappoint you. When that happens, don’t close other doors for the opportunity of new friendships. Continue to build new friendships. Be open, stay in contact.
About Me
- ZvezDana
- Bradenton, Florida
- Zvezdana Stosljevic, Ph.D. received her Doctorate of Andragogy, Science of Adult Education, at University of Novi Sad, Serbia, in Mrach, 2010.She was born in Novi Sad, Serbia. Ms. Stosljevic’s previous experience includes both fotomodel and journalist-editor at the Department of Education in Television, Novi Sad, Serbia. From 2001-2005, Ms. Stosljevic worked at Faculty of Philosophy, Pedagogy Department, Novi Sad, Serbia. While there, she was the assistant to the Professor on the subject of Andragogy. She was involved in research projects on the topics of Altruism, Management in Education, and Personal Development. Presently, Ms. Stosljevic resides in Bradenton, Florida with her family. Ms. Stosljevic maintains an active and healthy lifestyle, and her personal and professional development co-exist in her daily lifestyle. She has researched, created and developed personal wellbeing concepts which she promotes in Serbia and in the U.S.A. She is also in the process of writing a book entitled “Wellbeing - What, How and Why.”
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