Peers’ attitudes make a difference your change

According to the Mayo Clinic, strong friendships can “increase your sense of belonging and purpose” and “encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as excessive drinking or lack of exercise.”

Positivity and kindness, as the Mayo Clinic states, are crucial for long-lasting, healthy friendships and overall better for mental health. Small acts of kindness, like complimenting a friend after they get a new haircut or holding back a comment about the amount of time they spend in the gym, can go a long way.

“We should generally avoid saying things that might be associated with shame or lead to other complications,” Arora said. “For example, don’t tell someone to stop eating or eat too much – those may seem like small things, but they can make a huge difference in someone’s life.”