10 Benefits of Having a Good Friend: Safe, Seen, Supported

When people talk about “finding the right relationships,” most of the time they’re talking allll about the romantics. Swiping, dating, daydreaming—it’s a whole thing. But when we spend all of our time doing THAT, we often forget about the true power of friendship. Close friends aren’t just an escape from loneliness and social isolation—they’re a built-in safe space.

Caroline Baudino from Coming in Hot said friendship and support matter more than ever, and she was totally right. We give so much credit to romantic partners, but what about the ones who held us through the wins and the wipeouts? Turns out, those friends aren’t just good for your mental health—they can literally boost your physical health, too. 

That’s why it’s time to show up for our friends and give them the flowers they deserve. SOOO, today, we’re diving deep into the no-BS benefits of friendships. We’ll tell you exactly why these relationships make your life richer, healthier, and happier.

10 Benefits of Having a Good Friend: Safe, Seen, Supported

Finding “your person” doesn’t always mean finding the love of your life. It can also mean finding those healthy friendships that reduce stress, provide emotional support, and keep you from feeling lonely. In fact, We Met At Acme posted an entire episode about this! Tune into “Qualities You Need for a Great Friendship” to hear allll about it. 

Essentially, friends play a big role in how you show up—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Before we dive into the specific benefits, though, we need to quickly cover why having a good friend is so important. 

And no, the answer isn’t “Because I’ll always have someone who knows my Starbucks order by heart.” (Though that’s a plus too, right?) Let’s dive in before we dive deep.  

Why Is Having a Good Friend Important?

Having a good friend is SO important, and not for the reasons you think. Yeah, they’re someone to binge-watch shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty with as you sip matcha lattes out of your fancy ass “C’Est Le Point” Mug, but that’s a given. We’re talking about those scientifically-proven health benefits—both mentally and physically.  

Let’s get more specific. One Harvard study literally found that social connections can help people live longer, healthier lives. In comparison, those who are socially isolated tend to face a higher risk of health issues. Think: illness, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Yeah, it’s that serious. 

That physical glow-up isn’t the only thing that matters, though. This study found that social connections are the BIGGEST predictors of happiness. Not money, not success, not romance—friendships. Your brain actually thrives from being around people who just get you. 

So, yes, we honor our good friends because moments spent together feel just like this episode of Better Half—funny, exciting, and full of unfiltered conversations. But aside from that, they make us feel seen, heard, supported, and valued. They challenge us without belittling us, emotionally charge us without expecting anything in return, and encourage us to grow without requiring perfection.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Good Friend?

Mental Health Gets a Natural Boost

As Cameron Rogers said in THIS episode of Conversations with Cam, good friends are the backbone of happiness. It’s like as soon as they enter the room, you feel calm, cool, and collected. Plus, spending time with friends just has this way of providing an instant, natural mental health boost. 

And we’re not just saying this to say it—studies literally show that friendships are “vital to psychological flourishing.” Basically, your best friend might be better for your brain than that $20 adaptogen latte. 

Staying Grounded Feels Easier

When life starts to feel chaotic (which, let’s be honest, is often as an adult), having a good friend is the best way to stay grounded. They remind you of who you are, what you’re capable of, and help bring you back down to earth. 

And, according to “Live with Intention & Level Up” from The Bossticks? Being grounded is one of the key values for leveling up your entire life. The right friends can help you feel like you have your sh*t together—even if you don’t. (Sometimes white lies in these moments are necessary, and THAT’S what good friends are for, baby!)

Stress Takes a Backseat

Vent sessions, random FaceTimes, friendiversary celebrations—those little moments actually matter—a LOT. And not just because it can help make your friendship last through the years, though that’s definitely important. 

Instead, that kind of emotional support actually lowers cortisol levels—and this study proves it. The more relaxed you are (like when you’re with your favorite people), the better you tend to feel—during and afterwards! 

Physical Health Improves

Okay, we know we’re really driving this whole “friends support your health!” point home, but the connection is WILD! Good Instincts even has an entire episode on it, titled “Friends with Benefits (for Your Health).” From lowering high blood pressure to boosting your immune system, surrounding yourself with the right people is truly game-changing. 

All jokes aside, loneliness is as deadly as smoking—and it’s something millions quietly struggle with every day. This is yet another reason why celebrating friendship is so important! A good friend will keep your heart happier—literally and figuratively. 

Want another feel-good take on this topic? Check out “Sisterhood as Medicine” from Treated with Dr. Sara! She may be joined in this episode by her biological sister, but friends feel like sisters anyway—tuhmato, tahmato!

Confidence Levels Get a Glow-Up

The right friends NEVER fail to remind you that you’re that girl. They’re always hyping you up, reminding you of your worth, and cheering you on when you take a leap. And when you feel more confident, you move differently—seriously. 

Just take it from THIS episode of Almost Adulting: confidence is more of a skill than a birthright. And when you surround yourself with people who reflect that worth back to you? You become unstoppable. 

Personal Growth Becomes a Team Sport

Nothing feels better than personal growth… Unless, of course, you’re growing alongside a good friend. When you’re on the path to bettering yourself, that sh*t gets lonely. Maybe you’re navigating career changes, heartbreaks, or therapy breakthroughs. 

Whatever it is, having someone to talk to and confide in changes everything. And sure, journaling for mental health can absolutely clear your head. But that late-night vent session? Nothing compares. Just listen to “Friendship Chat” from Wellness Her Way, she dishes every detail on why who you confide in seriously matters. 

Accountability Actually Feels Supportive

We’ve all been in a place where we resort to the age-old “I’ll start tomorrow” excuse. And hey, no shame! We totally get it. However, that excuse can be the one thing stopping you from leveling up your life and achieving your goals.  

A good friend? Not gonna let that slide. Remember, misery loves company, but so does success. They’ll lovingly remind you of your “why,” and keep you on track without the judgment. 

Want an up-close example of how this looks? Listen to the duo who know friendship best—“The Samis on Friendship, Part 1” from Transform. This unfiltered convo gets real about allll those beautiful layers of friendship.

Emotional Safety Creates a Space for Authenticity

Being able to be your true, authentic self with someone—no filter or need to shrink—is HUGE. In today’s society, it’s sooo easy to feel like you need to be someone you’re not. But honestly, once you stop caring what other people think, THAT’S where you build your best friendships. 

The emotional safety that comes from authenticity allows you to be vulnerable, honest, and real, and it’s one of the most healing parts of any relationship. A good friend creates space for the WHOLE you—not just the parts that feel the easiest to love.

Laughter Heals and Connect

This point may sound a little, dare we say, cliché? But hear us out. When you’re an adult, you have SO much on your plate—bills, heartbreak, kids, career changes—need we go on? Basically, laughter with a good friend literally feels like medicine. (Of course, we have another scientific study to back this up.)

Laughter shared with someone who gets you is way more than a much-needed break from reality. It’s bonding, healing, and one of the fastest ways to feel connected. 

Shared Memories Become Personal Treasure

We all get a little nostalgic, especially when it comes to friendship. Those late-night fast food runs, random adventures, tearful talks over a glass of wine—it becomes part of who we are. Yeah, they’re treasured memories, but they take up a lot of space (and for good reason). 

With a good friend, you don’t only have one or two of those “remember when?” moments. You have what feels like a lifetime full. Those are the stories you’ll look back on, smile at, cherish, and tell your kids about one day… (maybe). 

How to Find Good Friends

Now knowing how important close friendships are, what do you do if you feel like you haven’t found YOUR people yet? Don’t worry, we’ve got all of the top tips for making friends to help you out: 

Show Up on Friend-Making Apps

Tinder this, Hinge that—we love ‘em, but they’re not gonna get us our ride-or-die best friends. (At least, not most of the time!) Instead, focus on those apps where you can meet, talk, and actually get to know people. It FEELS like dating, but it’s not as intense.

Don’t know where to start? We have just the thing—check out our list of the best apps to make friends on.

Never Stop Putting Yourself Out There

It can be tough to meet new people, and putting yourself out there can feel even tougher. But force yourself to get out of your comfort zone—this is where the real change happens. Trust us, there are people EVERYWHERE looking for social connections just like you are. 

Plus, wanna know a secret? You’re not the only one who’s anxious. Start the convo, send the invite, and build your circle. For a little encouragement, listen to “How Do I Make Friends as an Adult?” from Conversations with Cam.

Attend Local Events

Recently moved to a new city and don’t have anyone to spend time with? First off, check out our post, “How to Make Friends in a New City.” Second, attend local events! Think: festivals, farmers’ markets, park clean-ups. It can feel a little intimidating showing up alone, but seriously, there’s no shame. 

Kenzie Elizabeth from House Guest knows exactly where you’re coming from; just check out “Moving to a New City and Making New Friends as an Adult.”

Take Classes or Workshops

Learning new hobbies with strangers? That’s the key to success here. Nobody knows what they’re doing, but you all know you’re interested in the same thing—it’s perfect! Plus, this is a super easy way to spark up a conversation and begin building those bonds. 

From crocheting and baking to painting and exercising, there are so many things to try out. Look into “Hobbies for Women in Their 30s” for a little inspiration!

Always Be Authentic

The best friendships are built on honesty, trust, and authenticity. And we get it, when you meet someone new, it’s easy to mask quirky qualities and hide parts of yourself that you’re not sure will be accepted. But when you show up as your authentic self, you’ll find friends who love you for YOU. And that kind of platonic connection is life-changing. 

Good friends are good for your heart—literally.

As you journey through life, you’re gonna meet a TON of people. Some are stages, some are life lessons, and some are here for all of you—whatever that may entail. Good friends can feel hard to come by, but when you find them, hold onto them and treasure those bonds. From the late-night laughs to the boost in physical health—we’d be nothing without our close circle. 

Don’t want to finish this heartfelt convo just yet? Head over to the Dear Media blog! We talk all things connection, whether that be physical, platonic, or romantic. We also have a TON of fantastic podcast hosts who have a treasure chest full of need-to-know info—you won’t wanna miss a second of it.