Who says that when you turn 40, you’ve had your chance to make some great friends? By midlife, you don’t have to have found “your people,” but that’s not a hard and fast rule. And in many cases, this is the farthest thing from reality. While it’s true that you need a diverse group of friends, making an effort to meet new people is the only way to discover a new best friend. This is when faith comes in.
Everyone should make an effort to meet new people. You can make as many as you want if that’s what you really want, but be selective in those whom you call “friends”. Let go of any bitterness or animosity you may have toward prior relationships. If you expect to meet interesting people with relative ease, that’s precisely what you’ll do.
We often think of health in terms of what we eat, how much we exercise, or the genes we inherit — but there’s another powerful factor that can literally add years to your life: your friends.
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Science is increasingly showing that meaningful social connections are not just good for your emotional health — they’re vital for your physical survival. The people you surround yourself with can influence everything from your immune system to your heart health, your stress levels, and even your habits. In short, your friendships can shape how long — and how well — you live.
How Friends Affect Your Health
Reduced Stress & Improved Mood:
Supportive friends can buffer the effects of stress, lower blood pressure reactivity, and decrease feelings of loneliness and depression.
Enhanced Physical Health:
Strong social connections are associated with lower risks of conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and unhealthy body weight.
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Stronger Immune System:
People with strong social networks tend to get sick less often and recover more quickly when they do.
Better Cognitive Function:
Having close friends who are good listeners can improve cognitive resilience and protect brain health as you age.
Increased Longevity:
If you want to live longer, take a look at your friend group–seriously! Adults with strong social support and close friendships are more likely to live longer than those with fewer friends. Studies from institutions like Harvard University and the Mayo Clinic have revealed that strong social ties are just as important for longevity as avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy weight. People who have close, supportive relationships tend to live longer and experience fewer chronic diseases.
Why? Because friendship combats one of the deadliest forces in modern life: loneliness. Chronic loneliness triggers the body’s stress response — raising blood pressure, increasing inflammation, and weakening the immune system. Over time, that constant state of stress can wear the body down, much like high cholesterol or poor diet would.
Friendship, by contrast, lowers stress hormones, stabilizes mood, and even helps regulate sleep and digestion. It’s like having a natural wellness supplement — except it comes in the form of laughter, shared meals, and heartfelt talks.
Now that you know how friends affect your health, here are the friends you need with you in your later years.
6 Friends Everyone Needs After 40
6. That Person Who Is Opposite Of You
Sometimes, the tried and true has to be flipped on its head. Do the opposite of what you’re used to, and you could make a buddy who might help you view things from fresh angles.
Perhaps you and your new friend won’t have many interests, but you’ll enjoy chatting for hours anyhow. There may be some great discussions between the two of you since your perspectives are so different.
This may prepare you for the next phase of your life by helping you become more open-minded and accepting of new ideas and experiences. It’s possible that your relationship with this individual may grow to be invaluable to you in the future.
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5. Low-dose Friends
Low-dose friends are the type of friends who we like at “low doses.” We might like them if we only spend once a month with them, whereas for other friends, we want to spend every day with them. That might be because they have a different lifestyle than yours, or they may have a personality type that you find pleasant only in short bursts. There’s nothing wrong with these types of friendships; they just happen to work best when you only see each other every now and then, as opposed to trying to link your lives more intimately.
4. A Sounding Board Friend
Find a role model who encourages you to improve yourself. Someone who has gone through a lot yet hasn’t become cynical or bitter as a result. Get in touch with someone who has that inner wise old aunt spirit about them.
This friend should be someone who inspires you to do your best and who never makes you feel less than you are. It’s inspiring to watch women who’ve been around for a while thriving and succeeding, just as it was as a child when we looked up to our adolescent babysitters.
3. The One Friend Who Keeps It 100
This one will always be there for you. But also unafraid to say it is how it is. Even if this individual learns all of your secrets, they will never tell anybody.
This is the friend that you don’t always appreciate at the time but is so needed. This is the person who will tell you when your attitude is out of whack or your priorities are out of line. It isn’t always pretty, but it’s precious. Flattery may feel good, but a truth-teller can be trusted. This is the woman who will tell you when your hair is too big, your jeans are too tight or your contribution to Wednesday night supper was less than stellar.
They can give you their honest opinion, which isn’t always pleasant to hear. On the other hand, friendship isn’t about saying the “correct” thing; it’s about speaking one’s mind with love and care.
2. The Friend Who Is Adventurous
It’s not just novel, but you’re also with someone who can make it really transformative. You can break out of a rut you’ve been in for years with the help of this individual. They are fearless and prepared to give it their best.
Having a companion who will not only inspire you to try something new, but will actually join you in it, amps up the fun factor significantly. You could be persuaded to accomplish things your younger self would have thought were impossible.
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1. A Self-Care Cheerleader Friend
The messy-ness of middle age is real. Whether you’re about to face an empty nest, still have kids at home, or don’t have any children at all, this can be a period of profound personal transformation.
Real, in-depth self-care is essential. While mani-pedis and massages certainly have their uses, sometimes the best self-care is having someone who will cheer you on no matter what.
Every once in a while, it’s nice to have a deep talk, but not everyone feels at ease doing so with their spa hookup buddies once a month. Know that this individual will give you the truth when you feel sad about yourself.
