PREVIEW

The Importance of Friendship In Adulthood. 'The New York Times' reports that friendship in the United States has been in decline for years. This trend was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 30 years ago, just 3% of Americans said they had no close friends in a Gallup poll. In 2021, a similar online poll saw that number increase to 12%. Just one year into the pandemic, 12% of women and 8% of men between the ages of 30 and 49 said that they had lost touch with a majority of their friends. According to 'The New York Times,' friendship plays a crucial role in well-being. Isolation and loneliness have been linked to an increased risk for depression, anxiety, heart attacks and strokes. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Brigham Young University, suggests that between three and six close friends may be an ideal number for well-being. Jeffrey Hall, a professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, says what matters most is having at least one important person in your life. "Going from zero to one is where we get the most bang for your buck, so to speak. But if you want to have the most meaningful life, one where you feel bonded and connected to others, more friends are better.", Jeffrey Hall, Professor of communication studies at the University of Kansas, via 'The New York Times'. According to Dr. Hall's research, close friendships take about 200 hours to develop. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT