1 RELATING
Friends can be a major antidote to stress – if you learn how to utilise your friendships in a positive way. Rather than turning your friends into people who you moan at, or human time-fillers for when you’re bored, friends can provide a vital base for support and wellbeing. And, remember, if you surround yourself with people who are stressed; who perpetuate your cycle of anxious habits, you’re not helping yourself.
The New York Times bestselling author and behavioural expert, Tom Rath, studied the [performancemanagement consultancy] Gallup Organisation’s research on friendship, and conducted his own experiments. His findings showed that positive friendships have a substantial impact on an individual’s wellbeing and happiness. His philosophy on friendship is based around identifying the roles that different friends play in our lives.