Friends Can Enhance Your Relationships

It's no surprise that social relationships are important for good physical and emotional health. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that friendships are important within a marriage or any relationship. Studies have shown (and you can gather from my other posts that I dig "studies") people with lots of social contacts and friendships not only live longer lives, but the quality of their lives are better. They are basically happier individuals.

When a couple is in a comitted relationship, isolating yourselves from your family and friends is not a good idea. In fact, abusive spouses often want to isolate their mates from family and friends as a way of controlling their spouses. This behavior is a huge red flag in a relationship and if you find that your spouse is trying to control your outside relationships with friends and family, it's time to quickly seek counseling or run for the hills.

Friends and family are usually a wonderful adjunct to a relationship. If nothing else, it creates cause for discussion with your mate. Afterall, what's more fun than talking about your family and friends after you leave their company? Seeing how others interact with each other, whether within the context of family or friends, is a good barometer to measure your own interactions with your mate. Observing other's not so terrific behavior is a great way to discuss what is or is not acceptable in your own lives. Since the male species may find it difficult to communicate their own feelings, talking about other people helps a female get a handle on their partners perspective on many important issues.

And, friends are just fun to hang out with--keeps a couple from getting bored. Sharing a movie, meal or just a drink with others is good for you individually and collectively. If you have moved away from old friends/family, seek new relationships at work, church, or even the grocery store. It's harder to form new friendships these days, but don't give up. It's a terrific way to keep yourself and your relationship interesting and refreshed.