Here Is the Exact Number of Friends You Really Need in Your Life

Casual friends come and go, but the real ones will stay in your life. You have probably heard the phrase “quality over quantity” from your teachers in high school. While it may or may not come as a surprise, this expression is valid for friendships as well. It’s nice to have multiple friends in your circle, but you only need 4 to maintain a healthy and successful lifestyle. It’s important to have the right people who will celebrate with you through the ups and support you through the downs.

Bright Side has put together a list of different types of friends you need in your life to feel fulfilled.

1. A friend for reassurance

Every person has their doubts and fears about themselves, work, or family issues, and we need a friend who we can rely on and vent to without feeling ashamed. We want a friend who understands our thought process and our worries so that we can let loose and feel secure.

Some people that you know reassure you with the best intentions, but you still may end up not feeling any better. It’s best to have that one friend who doesn’t give you false reassurances and instead shows you sympathy, and makes you feel validated and cared for.

2. A friend we can be silly with

We all love to let our silly out sometimes, and what’s better than having that one friend with a wild sense of humor who can let loose on the real world?

When we are faced with a variety of challenges in our daily life, we can’t quite roast ourselves. That’s why there is a sense of fulfillment when we have a friend to cheer us up and laugh with at the end of a long day. If we don’t have this kind of friend, we may become stiff and inflexible toward ourselves and others around us.

3. A friend to help clarify our minds

A friend who helps us clear our minds, or in other words, the “advice friend,” is someone who inspires us to solve our problems and who gives us some direction in decision-making. This type of friend is usually a bit older, is free-spirited, and lives a life full of adventure — they are usually happy to share their knowledge. They know how to listen and say the right thing as a result of the things they’ve learned throughout their lives.

4. A friend to help us achieve our goals

Studies show that having a work friend actually makes you more productive, engaged in your work, and encourages you to finish tasks for the day. As individuals, it is easier to get things going and done if we have a friend by our side — this way, our energies can match and our abilities can unite.

When we feel stressed at our workplace, having a friend relieves a lot of tension and pressure, and helps us cope with our surroundings. Not only is it a stress-reliever, but also a more enjoyable experience in the workplace.

BONUS: A best friend

Having a best friend is like having an additional family member, someone you share most of your experiences and secrets with, and who will always be there for you no matter what.

This type of friendship can fit into the category of the 4 necessary friends, but can also be an addition. Your best friend will never lie to you, will lead you in the right direction, will give you advice, and is ready to listen to you whenever needed — everything in one.

How many friends do you have in your life? Do you plan to minimize your friend circle?