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“ In our diets, we need a variety of foods for different nutrients for our bodies. Socially, the same is true.”
an associate professor of sociology and social anthropology at Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Laura says friendship is a relationship people really tend to idealise.“ They think of it as special because it’ s chosen rather than given. It’ s based on care, equality, mutual liking and support,” she adds.
Friends help us grow and thrive, adds California-based clinical psychologist and Happiness Podcast host Robert Puff.
Robert says friendships are what help us get through life. They provide a support system that enriches our lives.
What gets in the way
Research shows people are looking more inward, a potential obstacle to deep friendships. Milena Batanova, director of research and evaluation at Harvard University’ s Making Caring
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Common initiative, sees the impact of disconnectedness. Her group’ s May 2024 State of Caring in America study shows roughly 1 in 4 adults is chronically lonely, blaming technology, distractions and mental health struggles. Other culprits for loneliness include a lack of quality relationships or time, and busyness to the point of being overwhelmed.
Research also offers solutions.“ The first [ suggestion ] was reaching out, [ then ] learning to love themselves, learning how to be more forgiving or positive toward people, and the fourth was finding ways to help others,” Milena says. Focusing on others is key, she adds.
The many faces of friendship
A foundation in friendship and shared interests is also key in romantic relationships.“ Initially opposites do attract, but in the long run they don’ t do well,” Robert says.
More casual bonds matter as well.“ The kinds of interactions that we have with strangers often help us feel a sense of community, that we’ re part of something bigger,” Julianne says.“ In our diets,
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we need a variety of foods for different nutrients for our bodies. Socially, the same is true.”
But enduring friendships give us stability in every season.“ When we have lasting friendship, they’ re the person we’ re going to call when our mother is in the hospital. They’ re the person we’ re going to call when we’ re struggling or we lose our job,” Robert says.“ We’ re going to show up for their wedding. We’ re going to be there for the birth of their child, because that’ s when lasting and ongoing friendship really solidifies.”
So go ahead and fill your life with friends. You just might be healthier and happier for it.
Cheri Henderson is a US-based writer and children’ s book author.
COSTCO CONNECTION
Costco warehouses and Costco. com. au offer a variety of food and refreshments for hosting gettogethers, as well as great gift items.
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COSTCO CONNECTION JUL / AUG 2026 | 31 |