Most of us are lucky enough to have friendships that see us through thick and thin. From casual acquaintances to lifelong soulmates, they are all vital to varying degrees.
The power of female friendships and that feel-good sensation we get from being with friends is borne out by research – they can help us lead longer, happier lives. Conversely, "If we don’t have people we feel we belong with, we are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, and to have poorer wellbeing," says Dr Mhairi Bowe, deputy director of the Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. "When we do feel that sense of connection, we recover from illness better, we tend to adopt healthier habits, feel safer and less stressed, and we are more likely to offer help and – more importantly – accept it in return."
