How Making Friends in The Workplace can Uplift and Benefit You

A Support System

Given the unpredictability of life, it is so important to have friends that you can count on, and the workplace is no exception. Whenever you are feeling down or stressed out from work, your work friends can listen to you, provide you with advice and just be there for you. Your work buddies, who you interact with every day, truly understand what you’re going through and can provide moral support.

Enhanced Productivity

Work friends encourage one another to do better and are more likely to have friendly competition over task completion, prompting each other to work more productively and come up with higher-quality work. Friendships in the workplace can also ensure you remain accountable over the tasks you have to complete and minimise distractions.

Bond Over Common Interests

Since you and your colleagues are working in the same company, similar interests and values are likely to be shared amongst everyone. What better way than bonding over common interests is there to make friends? Simply striking up a short conversation with a colleague can allow you to learn things about them that can enable you to build connections with like-minded individuals.

Increased Sense of Belonging

The office is like your second home, and like your house, you want to feel welcomed and as though you belong there. A way to feel comfortable whenever you step foot in the office is by making friends.

A Boost of Self-Esteem

By making friends with your colleagues, you’ll more likely feel a greater sense of self-esteem, which can motivate you to work harder and develop your skills. Your friends will have your best interests at heart and encourage you to be the best version of yourself. The self-acceptance you obtain from forming a friendship with your colleagues can also translate into confidence, which can further propel you to achieve your goals.

Provision of a Work-Life Balance

Work can feel extremely overwhelming, especially when it is a busy office season. By having friends in the office, you may not feel too swamped with work as there are people around whom you can have chats with to take your mind off things. This can contribute to a work-life balance that otherwise may not have been possible without the formation of good friendships.

Foster a Feel-Good Environment

You start to look forward to going into the office because you feel good doing the work you’re doing, and being around people who make you feel good.

Reduce Loneliness

Having friends in the workplace can decrease your feelings of loneliness which are linked to depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular problems. Try to form true and strong friendships. Superficial friendships do not promote inclusivity and you may end up feeling even worse than before.

Don’t underestimate the power of friendship and the positive effects you can obtain from making friends.

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