Research from all over the world demonstrates that friendships have a huge impact on our mental health and happiness.

Scientists tell us that meaningful relationships are amongst the most important factors in being happy, giving us a bigger boost than having a better job, being healthy or having more money. Friendships ultimately improve our happiness because we need social interaction to thrive. Healthy relationships offer us support, fun, friendship, advice, and the opportunity to invest in other peoples lives. The challenge in all of this is how we make the right choices and manage our time, to fully invest in the relationships we have with friends and family.

Happiness experiments to try

Make time
Relationships blossom when they are watered with time. Often, making time to invest in friendships is about choices in how you spend your time. Research indicates that choosing to spend time with friends raises our levels of happiness.