Friendship is often cited as one of the best sources of support, happiness, and companionship in life. But strong friendships aren’t automatic, they take time, effort, comprehension, and trust. Here are three central Major Principles for Healthy Friendship.

3 Major Principles for Healthy Friendship:

1. Positivity: The Core of Strong Friendships

A healthy friendship is centered around positive interactions like:
Supporting each other through the tough times,
Celebrating each other’s successes with no jealousy,
Laughing or finding joy in each other that makes friendships feel stronger!

Research shows that friendships that began with positive exchanges, as opposed to neutral or negative exchanges, were associated with greater emotional well-being and happiness over time.

2. Consistency: Follow Through
Friendships are lived out in time spent together. Consistency in a friendship means:

Checking on friends, despite other engagements or commitments,
Having a good faith to follow through on plans or commitments to friends,
Making time for meaningful conversations and enjoyable experiences.
Strong relationships don’t rely solely on frequency of contact and communication, but they require consistency to be there when it matters most.

3. Vulnerability: Be Real and Authentic
Being vulnerable with friends can take a healthy friendship deeper. Vulnerability can create:

The ability to share and express emotions that you associate with difficult situations (e.g fear, sadness) without judgment,
Sharing burdens and accepting support from a friend you trust,
Having a friend trust you with their thoughts and feelings.
Friendships based on what was communicated honestly, along with the ability to open up emotional experiences, can produce a depth of meaning.

ALSO READ: Is Your Friendship Strong Enough? Check for These Signs

Share

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•