Apart from hermits living in the woods, most people feel like they really need to have friends. Humans are very social creatures and being around other people is essential for health and happiness for most of us. Like so many other things in life, however, where friends are concerned, we have to learn to take the good with the bad. That’s expected, but might you be overlooking just how the “bad” might be affecting your health? This may sound ridiculous, but some friendships can have a negative impact on your health. Friends mean a great deal to people and you might be surprised to learn just how profoundly they can affect your life. These seven signs could mean some friendships are putting a strain on your health and well-being.
Read: 6 Signs You Might Have Social Anxiety
1. They Burden You With Their Problems
We all know people who seem to thrive on drama. Hardly a day goes by that they don’t become involved in some high-drama incident that they just have to share with you, in excruciating detail and with a tantrum or crying spell thrown in for good measure. Hearing about someone’s problems constantly can get old pretty fast and can also have an effect on your health. It may raise levels of stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol which can cause sleep and immune system problems, making you more susceptible to illness.