Having a "squad" can make anyone's life better. A go-to group of friends can pick you up when you're down, help you celebrate your milestone moments, and hang out with you just because you feel like it. However, beyond being a fantastic support network, your positive influence on your friends can also influence you in a very therapeutic way. This positive mindset, coupled with our treatment programs at Stonewater, can assist you in whatever your recovery journey may be. To learn more about to power of positive influence, contact
Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center today at
662.373.2828.
The Power of Positive Influence
Since you may be the one who is struggling, it can be challenging to understand how you are in a position to help others. But, that's the key; assisting others will better help you through treatment and in your everyday life. Here are some things you can do to influence your friends positively.
Providing Accountability and Motivation
If you and your friends share similar goals, you can help each other reach them. You may be seeking better grades, excelling at sports, getting into college, landing your dream job, or even making more money. Whatever is the case for you, hanging out with people who are already doing those things fosters success for everyone. Studies show that those who hang out with high achievers improved their own performance. Not surprisingly, those who hang out with underachievers tend to see their grades drop.
Enables You to Resist Temptation
The power of friendship can help keep temptation at bay. Research has shown that people with low self-control can more easily resist their temptations when they surround themselves with a strong support group of friends. We quite literally get by with a little help from our friends, especially when it comes to avoiding
substance use.
Improve Performance
Having a study buddy can make doing schoolwork more fun and see improved results in your grades. Whether you're preparing for midterms, getting ready for SAT's, or even practicing for the big game, going it alone is not the way to see results. As they say, there's no "I" in "team."
Allows You to Be More Successful
Different groups of friends can lead to more success. Having friends is great, but having friends from various social groups is even better. So, get outside of your comfort zone and make friends from different parts of your life. School, work, church, sports, and even treatment can bring you new friend groups. You and your friends' social life and school life will benefit.
Helps You to Be Healthier
Studies have shown that if you develop strong social networks, you actually have increased heart variability and are healthier. Alternatively, those who isolate show a decreased heart rate variability, which is an indicator of health risks.
How to Have More Positive Role Models
So, how do you expand your squad? You really do influence your friends and vice versa, and often for the better. But how do you make new friends, but keep the old? You need to be strategic. Here are some tips for growing and strengthening your friend network so you can be a role model to more and benefit from expanded friendships yourself:
- Get out of your comfort zone: Look to create friendships outside your regular group. Join a new club, get an after school job, or volunteer in your community.
- Find common ground: Make connections with people. When meeting new people, ask questions that get past the typical 'Where do you go to school? and What are your hobbies?' Instead, be specific. This is especially relevant to meeting new friends while in treatment, where you already have a shared experience.
- Find ways to give back: Make time to get involved with friends in more meaningful activities. Plus, you can go the extra mile and reach out to your new friends. You'll find these small positive affirmations can go a long way to strengthening your positive mindset as well as theirs.
Contact Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center
Influencing people is about centering your whole self, clinically and holistically. If you want to influence others positively, focus on the way you communicate and improve your relationship with yourself first. It's hard to influence others if you're still trying to figure out how to communicate with yourself. Our treatment team and
peer influence community program are here to help you with whatever your treatment and recovery journey are.
Contact us at
662.373.2828.