Few things in life are as awesome as hanging out with someone who just gets you. But spending time with your best buds isn’t just a lot of fun. It’s also super important for your physical and mental health. “Research shows that having friendships that make you feel good, secure, and safe is linked to having fewer symptoms of depression or anxiety,” says Niobe Way. She’s a psychologist who has written several books about teen friendship.
In fact, Way says, teens who have strong friendships tend to grow up to be happier and physically healthier adults.
But don’t worry if you don’t have half a dozen best buddies. Some people have many close friends. Some have just one or two. The truth is that when it comes to friends, quality is way more important than quantity. No matter how many friendships you have, they should make you feel good about yourself. Great friendships enrich your life.
That’s not to say that good friends never fight or disagree. A certain amount of conflict is natural and healthy in all relationships. But sometimes a friendship can leave you feeling bad about yourself more often than it makes you feel good.
When this happens, you might be able to fix what’s wrong. Or it might be time to downgrade that friend to an acquaintance. Read on for some friendship red flags and how to cope when you come across them.