June 8th 2026, is National Best Friends Day. It is a day to celebrate true friendships and to encourage friends to get together to appreciate one another.

Benefits of Friends 

There are many benefits to having a best friend in life. According to the American Psychological Association, true friendships positively help the body and brain. They can prove this by having numerous “psychological research from around the world [showing] that having social connections is one of the most reliable predictors of a long, healthy, and satisfying life.” This source states that researchers have found adult friendships “significantly predict well-being and can protect against mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.”  With this being said, friendships help people respond to stress, resulting in a better body and a better mind.

Besides mental and physical health benefits, it also decreases the risks of social isolation. Apa.org goes on to explain why social isolation is dangerous and how people can avoid it. The article states that loneliness is defined as “people who lack quality friendships, romantic partnerships, or other relationships.” People who are lonely tend to have an increased “risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death,” tying back into how friendships benefit people’s physical health. The article by Mountain Star Healthcare, states, “friends can help us feel less lonely and isolated… These feelings can have a negative impact on our mental and physical health.”

How to Make New Friends 

Now that you know the benefits, let’s dive deeper into how to make new friends. As you get older, you might feel like it’s harder to make new friends. Mountain Star Health Care also names the ways you can make new relationships to overall help your well-being. First, try to get involved within your community as much as you can. According to the article, “participating in local events is a great way to meet new people… try volunteering, taking classes that interest you, or frequenting a local spot.”

Next, you could join group activities like a club or team to develop support and eventually start new friendships. Overall, “having a shared interest helps break the ice so you can start getting to know new people,” according to Mountain Star. You can try to get involved by researching and talking to the community around you. The source highly recommends talking to “family members, acquaintances and even coworkers [that] may be able to introduce you to others with [similar] interests.

Difference Between a Friend and a Best Friend

Many people think they know the true difference between a friend and a best friend but in reality it’s more complex than you think. Life Hack, a self-help blog, wrote that “friends will always be complimentary, but best friends will give you honest feedback.” Sometimes you think friends that give you the honest truth are there to hurt you, but they’re just looking out for you. This is beneficial because best friends will help you understand what you might need to work on which overall helps you as a human being.

Another difference between the two is that friends won’t give you advice when you really need it, but best friends will. Life Hack says that “Friends may take the time out to listen, but there is no guarantee they will be able to guide you while your best friend will sit down and offer his or her advice and practical wisdom when things go pear shaped.”

Relating to the first two, friends don’t view you as a real soulmate, but friends do. Best friends are there to be your soulmate, to give you honest feedback and advice that will help you in life. According to Life Hack, “Friends are great for company… but best friends are [an upgrade from that].” A true soulmate and a best friend is someone who is always there for you and can fully understand you perfectly.