10 Science-Backed Ways Your Best Friend Improves Your Life

Keep your pals close.

Let's take a moment to praise your best friend.

She's the Ron Weasley to your Harry Potter or the Monica Geller to your Rachel Green. He's the person who sticks with you beyond the breakups, bad news and blunders. And you couldn't love your bestie more for it.

The truth is there's no one quite like your BFF -- and apparently science agrees. We rounded up just some of the proven ways your friends affect your life. Check them out below (then go hug your bestie).

1. Best friends reduce stress.

If you're totally strung out, you better call your BFF. A 2011 study found that spending quality time with your best friend can alleviate stress and make you feel better. There's no better person who can give you a shoulder to cry on.

2. They make you feel a sense of belonging.

Friendships provide a sense of community and meaning. As Karyn Hall, a Dialectical Behavior Therapy trainer and author of The Emotionally Sensitive Person, points out in a Psychology Today blog, your connection to others can do wonders for your wellness. 

“A sense of belonging to a greater community improves your motivation, health and happiness,” she wrote. “When you see your connection to others, you know that all people struggle and have difficult times. You are not alone. There is comfort in that knowledge.”

3. They help you manage health issues.

Health complications are frightening, but your best friend makes them a tiny bit easier to handle. Research shows social support can have a positive effect when fighting disease, O Magazine reported. It also reduces your risk of illnesses like dementia and can mitigate the symptoms of depression.

Your friend's presence can even make small improvements in your health. Studies suggest strong social ties even reduce your risk of catching the common cold.

4. Friends can help you live longer.

The Fountain of Youth has nothing on your bestie. A 2009 study found that strong social support can improve longevity. This is possibly because friends can have a healthy influence on your daily behaviors, according to the researchers. 

5. They push you to practice more self-acceptance.

No one knows you better than your best friend -- that includes your flaws. But while you tend to beat yourself down about them, your BFF lifts you up in spite of them. That kind of support is crucial when it comes to expressing compassion and love toward yourself and others.

Real friends naturally boost your self-esteem,” Robert Rowney, a certified psychiatrist and the director of the Cleveland Clinic mood disorder unit, previously told The Huffington Post. “And in turn, helping out a good friend [in this way] can help you feel better about yourself as well.”

6. Honest conversations with them can improve your wellbeing.

Research shows that confiding in close pals can boost your health, Happify reported. Sometimes that requires a little vulnerability when talking about the tough stuff.

"Honesty isn’t always an easy thing, but it’s important to your bond," Rowney said. "Swallowing that pill and being the best friend you can by being open with them always works out better."

7. They make difficult challenges seem less daunting.

Facing adversity? Call your best friend. A 2008 study found that having a friend by your side can actually make a hill appear less steep. Of course this is a physical test of the theory, but the concept can be applied emotionally as well. A challenge is a challenge.

8. BFFs call you out on your wrongdoings.

No one is perfect, including you. Luckily, your BFF is there to gently remind you of what's right and wrong and get you back on track. And that's a sure-fire sign of a real friend.

“They’re able to point out some of the negative things you’re doing in addition to the positive,” Rowney said. “They really support you on both sides.”

9. They improve your attitude at work.

Thank your office BFF for that spring in your step as you walk to your desk. Studies show that having close friends in the office boosts job satisfaction and may keep you more engaged at work. Not a bad reason to be buddies with your colleagues.

10. They genuinely make you a happier human.

There's obviously no doubt about it when they're making you laugh so hard your stomach aches, but research shows that having a close buddy around can lift your mood exponentially. And it's not just that longtime BFF that puts a smile on your face: Making a new friend can also improve your mood through the release of oxytocin in the body.

When it comes down to it, your best friend is good for more than just a gossip session over brunch or a hug when you're feeling low. They improve every facet of your life. So in case you don't do it enough, thank your pals for their friendship. They're truly one of a kind.

Before You Go

100 Ways To De-Stress
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Try the "chocolate meditation" technique. This allows you to fully savor the sweet treat. Instructions here. (credit:altrendo images via Getty Images)
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Write your worries down in a journal. (credit:hey! My name is Fucchon~ I love photography so much. via Getty Images)
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Peel an orange. Studies show the smell of citrus can help reduce stress. (credit:Maciej Toporowicz, NYC via Getty Images)
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Read a book for six minutes. (credit:Oleh Slobodeniuk via Getty Images)
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Eat an avocado. The monounsaturated fats and potassium in the superfood can lower blood pressure. (credit:Patrick Llewelyn-Davies via Getty Images)
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Take a walk in green space. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Hang out with your BFF. (credit:Michael Kovac via Getty Images)
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Spend a few minutes focusing on your breath. (credit:Tim Kitchen via Getty Images)
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Take a power nap. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Bring your dog to work. Research suggests having Fido in the office can lower stress levels throughout the day. (credit:Bernard Weil via Getty Images)
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Listen to Mozart. (credit:Imagno via Getty Images)
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Try some aromatherapy. One 2009 study found it's an effective stress-relief technique, especially for high school students. (credit:Media for Medical via Getty Images)
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Let out a laugh. (credit:Tara Moore via Getty Images)
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Get a massage. (credit:Glenn Asakawa via Getty Images)
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Give someone a big hug. (credit:The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Belt it out at karaoke... (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
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...Or sing in your church choir. (credit:George Frey via Getty Images)
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Do a small project or craft. (credit:Cavan Images via Getty Images)
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Take up knitting. Research shows the activity puts your brain in a state of flow similar to the one achieved through meditation. (credit:Loic Lagarde via Getty Images)
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Speaking of which, try a little mindfulness meditation. (credit:Peathegee Inc via Getty Images)
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Have sex. (credit:Alexander Nicholson via Getty Images)
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Unsubscribe from all of those promotional emails. (credit:HuffPost)
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Kiss a loved one. (credit:Blend Images - Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images)
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Call your mom. (credit:Betsie Van Der Meer via Getty Images)
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Do a progressive muscle relaxation exercise. (credit:Jetta Productions/David Atkinson via Getty Images)
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Take an email vacation. (Bonus: It also makes you more productive.) (credit:HuffPost)
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Forgive someone. (credit:PeopleImages.com via Getty Images)
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Think about something you're grateful for. (credit:Kohei Hara via Getty Images)
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Exercise. Research shows it helps boost the body's ability to handle stress. (credit:Rob Stothard via Getty Images)
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Be mindful of how you deal with frustration during an argument. (credit:anzeletti via Getty Images)
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Drink black tea. (credit:A Girl With Tea/Flickr)
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Power down that smartphone for a few minutes. (credit:HuffPost)
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Walk the walk. Research shows if you carry yourself like a happy person, you'll feel happier, too. (credit:Lars Plougmann/Flickr)
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Drink some orange juice. (credit:mhaithaca/Flickr)
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Chew gum. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Reflect on what (and who) is important in your life. (credit:Jamie Grill via Getty Images)
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Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Bring on the salmon! (credit:Hanataro/Flickr)
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Tap into your religious beliefs. (credit:Allen Donikowski via Getty Images)
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Look into a less stressful job. (credit:Compassionate Eye Foundation/Hiep Vu via Getty Images)
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Live in Salt Lake City (or just take a visit). It was named the least-stressed city in the country in 2014. (credit:David Crowther via Getty Images)
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Walk or bike to work. (credit:Smart Trips/Flickr)
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Listen to soothing nature sounds. (credit:Alan Vernon./Flickr)
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Eat a bowl of oatmeal. (credit:Keith Beaty via Getty Images)
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Give acupuncture a try. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Flash a smile at someone. (credit:iPandastudio via Getty Images)
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Do some guided imagery exercises. (credit:Paul Vozdic via Getty Images)
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Get a plant for your house or your desk. (credit:r4n/Flickr)
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Let yourself have a good cry. (credit:sudo takeshi via Getty Images)
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Eat some dark chocolate. (credit:Stephen Cummings/Flickr)
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Get in touch with your inner yogi. Try one these yoga poses, specifically geared toward reducing anxiety. (credit:GO INTERACTIVE WELLNESS/Flickr)
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Say no. You can do anything, but not everything. (credit:Thomas Barwick via Getty Images)
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Have an orgasm. (credit:Noviembre Anita Vela via Getty Images)
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Take a laughter yoga class. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Think positive thoughts. (credit:Jamie Grill via Getty Images)
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Dance it out. Not only does it reduce stress, it can also boost your memory. (credit:JEWEL SAMAD via Getty Images)
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Take a warm bath. (credit:www.metaphoricalplatypus.com/Flickr)
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Surround yourself with the scent of pine... (credit:lars hammar/Flickr)
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...Or the aroma of vanilla. (credit:djwtwo/Flickr)
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Float in water. (credit:Taylor Weidman via Getty Images)
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Sleep. Not only is it crucial to zapping stress, it's key to your daily happiness. "When we're exhausted, we drag ourselves through the day instead of enjoying the day," HuffPost president and editor-in-chief Arianna Huffington once said. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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De-clutter your home or your desk. (credit:Jonathan Kitchen via Getty Images)
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Become a morning person. (Or at least embrace the morning.) (credit:keepps/Flickr)
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Spend time around horses. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Focus on one task at a time. (credit:HuffPost)
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Pay attention to your surroundings. (credit:Andrew Burton via Getty Images)
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If you're a smoker, quit. (credit:Sweet One/Flickr)
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Watch 3-D videos of trees. (Really!) (credit:Paper Boat Creative via Getty Images)
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Go to the beach. (credit:dicau58/Flickr)
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Distance yourself from stressful people in your life. (credit:Blend Images - Peathegee Inc via Getty Images)
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Repeat a positive affirmation. Looking for a few examples? Try these. (credit:Asia Images via Getty Images)
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Choose not to wait in line. (credit:JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images)
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Spend time with the person you're in love with. (credit:Raphye Alexius via Getty Images)
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Drink a cup of green tea. (credit:Kirinohana/Flickr)
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Feel free to ignore your boss while you're on vacation. (credit:Sam Edwards via Getty Images)
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Embrace aging. (credit:Javier Encinas via Getty Images)
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Try a "mood monitoring" exercise. Find tips on how to do it here. (credit:Simon Gerzina Photography via Getty Images)
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Take a break from social media. (credit:HuffPost)
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Use a little foul language (in the right company). (credit:JPM via Getty Images)
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Share a meal with a friend. (credit:HuffPost)
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Let out a deep sigh... (credit:christian.plochacki via Getty Images)
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...Or a primal scream. (credit:Ben Richardson via Getty Images)
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Make a silly face. (credit:JTSiemer via Getty Images)
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Close your eyes, even for just a few moments. (But don't do it while you're driving.) (credit:Eveline Kooijman via Getty Images)
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Brush your hair. (credit:Alexandra Wyman/Invision/AP)
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Do something nice for someone else. Good karma and less stress? Win. (credit:Ascent Xmedia via Getty Images)
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Give yourself some quiet time. (credit:Westend61 - Hans Huber via Getty Images)
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Write your thoughts on a piece of paper, then physically throw them out. (credit:Tetra Images via Getty Images)
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Stare at the color blue. (credit:thor_mark /Flickr)
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Look at old photographs. (credit:Vasiliki Varvaki via Getty Images)
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Set "stress boundaries." If someone -- or something -- is starting to stress you out, step away from the situation. (credit:Martin Barraud via Getty Images)
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Go for a run. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Color a picture. This activity isn't just for kids! (credit:Scott Gries/Invision/AP)
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Pet your dog or cat. (credit:Richard W. Rodriguez/Invision/AP)
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Look out the window. (credit:AlishaV/Flickr)
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Try a de-stressing app. Programs like Headspace, Calm and our own GPS for the Soul are designed to reduce stress.
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Use your imagination and look at your life like scenes in a movie. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Count to 10, then count backward. (credit:DesignSensation via Getty Images)
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Spend a little time in the sun. (Just wear your SPF!) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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Take a lunch break away from your desk. (credit:Judith Haeusler via Getty Images)
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If your stress becomes unmanageable or overwhelming, consider seeing a therapist. (credit:Blend Images - Ned Frisk via Getty Images)

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