Friendships Offer Mental and Physical Health Benefits

Experts say close friendships can provide emotional support, practical help, and different perspectives outside of romantic partners.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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While romantic relationships are often celebrated, research shows that close friendships can also play a meaningful role in our mental and physical health and well-being. Friendships may reduce the risk of mental health issues, influence how we respond to stress, and help us see things from a different perspective. However, the quality of friendships matters - ambivalent relationships that involve both positive and negative feelings may not be as helpful during stressful times as more stable friendships. Experts provide tips on how to build and maintain healthy friendships, such as being accessible, responsive, and engaged with friends.

Why it matters

Strong social connections, especially high-quality ones, are associated with psychological and physiological benefits. Friendships may reduce the risk of mental health issues and influence how people respond to stress, but society doesn't always place equal value on committed romantic relationships and friendships.

The details

Research shows that friendships may reduce the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, and may influence how you respond to stress and help you see things from a different perspective. One study found that people who imagined a friend before estimating the steepness of a hill perceived it to be less steep than those who imagined a neutral person or someone they disliked, suggesting that social support can make challenges seem less daunting. However, ambivalent relationships - those with both positive and negative feelings - were linked to higher blood pressure in participants when discussing negative life events, indicating these friendships may not be as helpful during stressful times.

  • The research was conducted by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University.

The players

Julianne Holt-Lunstad

A professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University who has conducted research on the benefits of friendships.

Bella DePaulo

A social psychologist and author of 'Single at Heart' who says society doesn't always place equal value on committed romantic relationships and friendships.

Paul Eastwick

A professor of psychology at the University of California at Davis and author of 'Bonded by Evolution' who provides tips on building and maintaining healthy friendships.

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What they’re saying

“We shouldn't rely on one person to meet all our needs.”

— Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Professor of psychology and neuroscience

“If it did, 'people would ask about our friends as routinely as they ask about our spouses or romantic partners. They would include friends in invitations to social events. People would celebrate the silver and golden anniversaries of their friendships and the important people in their lives would be eager to celebrate with them.'”

— Bella DePaulo, Social psychologist and author

“To be accessible, establish a routine — a weekly lunch date with a colleague, an exercise class with teammates, a standing phone or video call or a monthly get-together with a group of close friends.”

— Paul Eastwick, Professor of psychology

The takeaway

This research highlights the importance of cultivating a diverse network of relationships, including close friendships, to support our overall health and well-being. While romantic partners can provide unique intimacy, friends can offer emotional support, practical help, and different perspectives that are also crucial for our mental and physical health.