30. Why our friends matter...

30.

Also on motivation and change - the role of our closest group in health and wellbeing habits.

When it comes to making lasting changes in our health and wellbeing, peer pressure can be a powerful motivator - both positively and negatively.

On the good side:

• Encouragement: Supportive friends or family can motivate us to stick to healthy habits, like exercising or eating well. When those around us value health, their values are aligned with the changes we make.
• Shared goals: Ever had a gym friend that you can not refuse so you end up showing up even when you do not feel like it? This is the power of having shared goals, we can pull each other when needed.
  
  

On the down side:

• Unhealthy habits: Peer influence can also lead to compromising behaviors - same example, if either of you cancels on your gym, suddenly the other one is tempted to do the same.
• Social comparison: Important to choose people we feel safe with for accountability buddies as comparing ourselves to others often lead to stress, or self-criticism and inevitably drag us down.

Peer influence is greatly researched and we know today that the people we are surrounded by play a huge role in our health. From our family, to our friends, to the romantic partner we choose and to even colleagues.

Hm. One of my goals for this year is to take better care of myself.
    That is a great goal! Let us talk about self-care and self-love.