In today’s society, with so many growing issues, having somebody to confide in is essential. Being a teenager can be really difficult to navigate sometimes. That’s just a fact. However, having at least one person openly supporting you can help greatly.

When you bottle up your emotions and thoughts for an extended period of time, you are essentially brewing on the inside, which will result in an explosion later on. Opening up to people usually seems scary and unneeded at first, but it will truly help in the long run. Whether you are talking to a friend, family member, therapist, or just writing it all down, it can do wonders for the mind.

Not only do healthy friendships affect your mental health for the better, they can also be good for your physical health. They can encourage you to take care of your body (eat the right amount of meals, exercise, drink enough water, etc.), statistics have shown that they can affect cardiovascular health for the better. A study done in 2007 by the Annals of Behavioral Medicine showed that young men and women displayed a more steady heart rate and blood pressure while talking about a traumatic event with a supportive friend, compared to an ambivalent friend.

Having at least one friend can be very fulfilling for both parties. If you have taken any class or read any book relating to psychology, you know that friendship is about balance. In an article by healthline.com, it is mentioned that good friends should leave you satisfied, while toxic friends may cause you to feel drained, lonely, and disappointed. While you unpack some emotional baggage and find your own little support system in someone, you can and should also be that person for somebody. In my opinion, helping people and watching them slowly benefit from your help is one of the best feelings in the world.

All in all, true friends are one of the best things to come out of life. I’d definitely recommend finding them anywhere you can.

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