Friends help you celebrate good times and are there for you when times get rough. Friends help prevent loneliness and can be great companions. But did you know that having friends around you helps keep you healthy? According to the Mayo Clinic, friends can: Increase your sense of belonging and purpose Boost your happiness Reduce stress Improve your self-worth Help you cope with traumas, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or the death of a loved one Encourage you to