5 Reasons Studies Say You Have to Choose Your Friends Wisely

Surrounding with the right people has surprisingly far-reaching effects.

Post published by Amy Morin on Apr 10, 2015 in What Mentally Strong People Don't Do

     

Here are 5 reasons, then, that you should be careful about who you surround yourself with:
1. Strong-willed friends can increase your self-control.

If you struggle to resist temptation, surrounding yourself with people who possess a high degree of self-discipline can help. A 2013 study (link is external) published in Psychological Science reports that when people are running low on self-control, they often seek out self-disciplined people to boost their willpower.

2. Having fewer friends increases the likelihood that you’ll take financial risks.
When people lack adequate social interaction, they’re more likely to take bigger risks with money, according to a study (link is external) published in the June 2013 issue of Journal of Consumer Research. Researchers discovered that people who felt lonely or rejected were most likely to take the biggest financial risks.

3. Having too many social media connections increases your stress level. 

When it comes to social media, “the more the merrier” may not be the best approach. A report from the University of Edinburgh Business School (link is external) found that more Facebook friends means more stress, and researchers linked an abundance of social media connections to increased anxiety about offending people. This effect stemmed from people's desire to present a version of themselves that would be acceptable to all their social media contacts.

4. Close friends may be the secret to longevity.

When older adults have close confidants, they’re likely to live longer, according to a 2005 study (link is external) conducted at Australia’s Flinder’s University. After following 1,500 people for 10 years, researchers discovered that people with a large network of friends outlived less-friended counterparts by 22%.

5. Friends greatly influence your choices.

A 2014 study (link is external) published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that friends often bond by providing one another with the moral support needed to resist a temptation. However, friends also commonly conspire together to enjoy indulgences. Researchers discovered that when it came to resisting temptations—like eating chocolate—sometimes friends were more likely to become partners in crime as they decided to indulge together.
The reality is that you're likely to start acting more like the people you surround yourself with. When you pick friends who make poor choices, you could get dragged down fast. When you choose people who inspire and challenge you to be better, you'll increase your chances of reaching your goals.