Friends come to your support when your family can’t. No matter how strong we become, there will always be a time when you need someone. Since your family can’t be at your work or your school or college, you need friends.

To acknowledge the importance of friendship, the United Nations General Assembly declared 30th July as International Friendship Day to shed light on the role of friendship in building peace.

Friends are more than a show of affection and support they shape who you are as a person and are one of the most important influences in your lives. The people you choose to spend time with change your beliefs, your values and worldviews. This is why it’s important to spend time with the right kind of people, who have important moral values.

Friends are also important for your well-being. They make you feel like you belong somewhere, that you are loved and cared for. They boost your happiness and self-worth, reduce your stress, help to cope with traumatic events and if you are with the right people, encourage you to grow.

But how do you make friends in the first place?

During our childhood days, it was very easy as we were less prone to suspicion and other children didn’t really pose that much of a threat but as we grow we become wary of people and with time we lose contact with our old friends as we walk into new spheres of life like job.

If you are starting over in your life, like moving into a new locality you will need friends. The best way to do that would be to join a community that fits your interests it could be a political gathering, a movie club or even a walk in the park. You can try to pitch a conversation with someone in your office to strike up a friendship.

Once you make a friend it is important to keep them and let it grow. You have to make plans with them like birthday parties or hanging out. You need to be in their tough times and help in any way you can. Maybe tell them a secret or two to show that you trust them.

Child Help Foundation understands the importance of friendship. In schools, we have helped to conduct group activities that require children to work together. We also encourage volunteers to work in groups that result in tight-knit bonds.

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Make sure to share it with all your friends and family members.