They say laughter is the best medicine, but new research shows it might also be the secret ingredient to lasting friendships.
A new study has found that the foundation of a strong friendship may lie in something as simple and powerful as sharing the same sense of humour. As a brand committed to supporting healthier habits, the research from healthy drinks experts at DASH Water has revealed what Brits see as the most important things to have in common with their friends, after surveying 2,000 UK adults.
The results show that the most commonly shared traits among friends were a sense of humour (55%), similar values (49%), shared hobbies or interests (34%), similar life struggles (25%), and growing up together (25%).
Other factors, like favourite food and drink, appeared to matter more to women when it comes to friendship, with over one in five (22%) saying they shared this with their friends, compared to just over one in six (16%) men. On the other hand, almost a third (30%) of the men surveyed expressed a key element of their friendships is based on supporting the same sports team, compared to just 6% of women.
GenZ-ers (18–24) highlighted shared hobbies and interests, like crafting, as one of the most important things to have in common with friends, with 42% saying it brought them closer to others. This suggests that hobbies aren’t just good for developing skills and boosting wellbeing, they can also be a great way to build new friendships. In contrast, boomers (65+) believe that shared values are the cornerstone of lasting friendships, with 58% in agreement. This view was echoed by Gen X (45–54), where over half (58%) said the same.
On the other hand, factors such as shared dreams or goals (12%), style or fashion choice (9%), and a love for the same author or book genre (6%) were less important when building a strong friendship.
With this research in mind, DASH Water teamed up with renowned psychotherapist and author, Eloise Skinner, to discover what the key elements are when making a lasting friendship.
Eloise comments,
“There are many factors that contribute to a strong friendship, differing between individuals and the dynamic of the friendship. Some core factors, however, might be: trust, respect, shared interests, encouragement and support, good communication, empathy, and shared experiences.
“In terms of friendship dynamics, it might be likely for friends to have similar communication styles, or similar preferences when it comes to being extroverted / introverted. This isn’t always the case, though – sometimes friendships can form around points of difference, with each person offering a unique personality and preferences.
“In terms of personality traits, you’d be likely to see some degree of shared interests / passions between friends, or shared habits / behavioural preferences. You might also be likely to find a shared sense of humour, or similar ways of processing / reacting to experiences. In terms of compatibility, you might see similarities between friends’ backgrounds, educational experiences or careers – but not always! It really does depend on the individuals in question.”
And Eloise even suggests that having a best friend could be good for our wellbeing.
“There are a huge range of wellbeing benefits associated with having a close friendship – we know from research that one of the biggest factors in supporting longevity is the closeness and connection of our relationships and community. Having a best friend can also allow us to experience new things, deepen our understanding of another person, express beneficial traits such as generosity, kindness and empathy, increase our sense of belonging and community, and help us to process emotions and experiences.”
The research from DASH Water is unveiled alongside the launch of its latest flavour that’s sure to be the pick of the bunch: Cherry.
Landing with a splash this May, DASH Cherry is bursting with the natural, sweet-tart taste of ripe cherries in every sip. And with no sugar, sweeteners or calories, this charming cherry fizz is twice as nice.
Using wonderfully wonky cherries grown in Herefordshire, this new addition stays true to DASH’s mission of celebrating perfectly imperfect fruit.
