The Guide to the Right Types of Friends in your Support Network
Do you have the right types of friends in your support network? When you need it, do you have a shoulder to cry on, a buddy to celebrate the happy moments with, or a bestie to give you an extra push? Obviously, friends play various roles in our lives, each contributing uniquely to our well-being. Without a doubt, true friendship can help you build a balanced and effective support system. What are the right types of friends in your support network then? How can they positively impact your life?
Importance of Friends in your Support Network
A strong support network is vital for mental health and well-being. Friends provide companionship, reduce stress, and help you navigate life’s challenges. For example, during tough times, having friends to lean on can make a significant difference in your outlook and resilience.
As mentioned in our past article, making friends is an important part of our lives. Furthermore, humans are social beings and our social support is vital to our well-being. This idea stems from Durkheim, a French sociologist. He believed that positive social connection is a major part of how we successfully navigate the world. According to the Mayo Clinic, social support is linked to better health outcomes, lower stress levels, and improved overall well-being.
The Right Types of Friends in your Support Network
True friends will accept you for who you are and uplift you when you feel down. Specifically, below are some great qualities you want to look for in the right types of friends.
1. The Listener
A good listener is obviously the right type of friends who provides a safe space for you to express your feelings. They listen without judgment. In addition, their empathy and understanding is heartwarming. It literally opens the door for you to want to talk. If you’re going through a difficult breakup, for instance, a good listener will let you vent and process your emotions. Their presence can be incredibly comforting, helping you feel understood and supported. Besides, they keep your little secrets and do not share them with others. You can easily trust them to show your vulnerability.
2. The Motivator
Motivator friends inspire and push you to achieve your goals. They encourage you to stay focused and remind you of your potential. Not only do they work with you on your plans and actions, but they are there to deal with all the challenges. When you get distracted, they give you that extra push to help you get back on track. For example, if you’re training for a marathon, a motivator friend will cheer you on, celebrate your progress, and help you stay committed. Their positive energy can be a powerful force in your journey toward success.
3. The Honest Critic
An honest critic is a friend who provides constructive feedback. They tell you the truth, even when it’s hard to hear, because they care about your growth. For instance, if you’re considering a career change, an honest critic might point out potential challenges and help you think through your decision carefully. Their insights can help you make more informed choices and avoid potential pitfalls.
A true friend will share their opinions without fear of being attacked or criticized. When a friend tells you the truth with the intention of helping you grow and improve, it can be beneficial in the long run. Of course, it’s important to remember that this honesty should come from a place of care and concern, rather than hate or negativity.
4. The Fun Buddy
Fun buddies bring laughters, excitement and new experiences into your life. Having a good time with your friends is important. Indeed, being with each other should lift your spirits and make your day better, not worse. Fun buddies encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try new things. If you’re feeling bored or stuck in a routine, a fun buddy might suggest a hiking trip, a dance party, a shopping day, a concert, or a spontaneous road trip. It’s nice to have that one friend you can feel relaxed and enjoy each other’s company, isn’t it? In fact, these are the friends who can make you smile even during the toughest times. Their fun spirit can help you discover new passions and create lasting memories.
5. The Supportive Peer
Supportive peers usually understand what you’re going through. That is, a supportive friend is someone who will stand by you through thick and thin, and be there for you no matter what. You never have to question their support because they show how much they care through their actions, such as checking in on you and being there for you when you need them most. Their support and help can make you feel less alone and more understood.
Fair-weather friends, on the other hand, are there only for the good times and disappear when things get tough. A true supporter friend would not abandon you and will always be there to support you through both the good and the bad times.
6. The Long-Lasting Friend
Throughout our lives, we can make friends at different stages. For instance, you may have grown up with childhood friends, and when you went away to college, you may not have seen them for long periods of time. However, when you get together again, you still laugh and joke like you never left each other’s side. This is important because some friendships may not require everyday communication, yet they still hold a special place in our hearts because of the important memories we share.
How to Maintain Friendships in Your Support Network
It’s important to maintain friendships with the people you truly care about to avoid the heartbreak of friendship breakups. Here are some tips on how to do so in your daily life:
1. Identify the right types of friends
Apparently, you could feel a good vibe from the right types of friends. Once you identify those great qualities, start cultivating these relationships. Don’t hesitate to take the initiative to make friends. Specifically, stay connected, show appreciation, and offer support. Understandably, you may fear rejection, but what could be the worst? If someone easily rejects you, it only means they are not the right type of friends, isn’t it? Best case scenario? You start a wonderful friendship for life.
2. Reciprocity is Key
If you have a friend who is always there for you, make sure you reciprocate by being there for them too. Small gestures, like sending a thoughtful text or planning a catch-up session, can strengthen your bond. Additionally, be mindful of your own needs and communicate openly with your friends. Keep up with your friends, even if they are long distance friends that you may not see or hear from for a while.
3. Ensure healthy communication
Remember that even best friends might have disagreements or arguments. It’s okay to disagree at times as long as you communicate in a healthy way and resolve any issues that may arise.
There are some friends that you can talk to every day, while others you might need to talk to weekly. Find what works for you and make it a point to keep in contact.
4. Try new things with each other
It’s important to keep making memories. That is, don’t just rely on the ones from the past to keep your relationship growing
5. Keep a respectful and equal relationship
Truly value each other and express your feelings clearly. It is vital to make sure your friends know how much they mean to you. On the other hand, only equal relationships could last a long time; that is, maintaining a balanced relationship means setting healthy boundaries. The support should flow both ways, otherwise, it could lead to a drained feeling.
Talk to a Therapist about Making the Right Types of Friends
A therapist can help you navigate the relationships in your life! If you need help dealing with friendships, therapy can help! At Mind Connections, we understand the importance of a strong support network. We offer services and programs designed to help you build and maintain healthy friendships. Our counseling sessions focus on improving communication skills, developing empathy, and fostering meaningful connections.
Specifically, our therapists teach practical strategies for nurturing and maintaining supportive friendships. Success stories from our clients highlight how our programs have helped them enhance their social support networks, leading to better mental and emotional health.
Mind Connections offers online therapy for anyone needing guidance or support in their lives. Call now for a FREE 15-minute consultation.
Content Creator, Victoria Gallo; Reviewed by Dr. June Cao