* People with 5 or more close friends

(not counting family members) are

50% more likely to describe themselves as “very happy” than

respondents with 20 or more casual friends

A study from the University of Chicago's National Research Center

Find out which category your friends belong in

*Types of friends

*“We are classmates”

friends

*These people are your friends because you were in school and happen to get along well together.

*You have a lot of common memories and stories from the past to share.

*When you met them you usually talk about past or school related stuff and discuss other classmates or teachers.

*You will most likely have their names in your cell phone because you have called them once or twice

*The “Animal” friends

*It has been rightly said, ‘Animals are such wonderful creatures, as they ask no questions’.

*Humans and animals have been known to have a special bond with each other since time immemorial.

*The relation that we share with animals is a very warm and protective one.

*“We hang out together” friends

*These people are usually the ones we call good acquaintances.

*You were in school/university/work with them. You often went partying or shopping together.

*You know their likes and dislikes and you happy to see them.

But

*You won’t share with them your problems or really personal stuff.

* If you were to run into them in the streets, the conversations would only last for a few minutes. You’d start with “HEY!!”, give a big grin, then ask “what are you doing here?!” and end with a “okay, see you!”.

*“Common Interest” friends

*These are the people who share the same interests with you. You both listen to the same kind of music, like many similar stuff and you think that it will be so cool to be each other’s friends. And that’s about it.

*These are the kind of friends who easily drift away from you once you start to lose contact, or one of you will give up some hobby.

*The “Pen” friends

*Pen friendship is developed when people write to each other regularly through postal mail or “snail mail”

* It was a popular means of making friends in different parts of the world before internet came into seen.

*Mostly, pen friendship aims at learning other cultures and different lifestyles.

*“Online/ Internet” friends

*Online friends are those people who have known each other through the Internet.

* This is the most uncommon type of friend, but they can also be the most precious.

* You never met them or probably won’t, but this what allows you to pour your feelings to them.

* You probably don’t know their real name and don’t know how they look, but can spent hours commenting their statuses or posts.

* You probably won’t be too disappointed to lose them.

* You do not think much about them in your off-line life. But they can raise up your mood as soon as you are online again.

*“Let’s meet up” friends

* These are what you call your close friends.

* They are the ones whom you would enjoy having lunch or dinner one-on-one, enjoy holding a conversation with, and enjoy joking with.

* They usually belong to your tightly-knit group of 3 to 4 (a more intimate clique).

* You guys always have a great time at dinner together, sharing laughs, memories and many great camwhoring sessions.

* It’s the case where, when you put everyone together, you have an even better time.

* The thing about this type of friend is that they make it a point to keep in touch with you because they actually do miss you, and they really want to spend time with you and know what’s up with your life, and share with you theirs. Oh, and they will remember your birthday and never fail to wish you.

*The “Best” friends

* Also known as your closest friends in life.

* They will usually be your maid of honour or best man during your wedding.

* You like to talk to each other on the phone all the time.

* You always have a great time eating dinner together with him/her alone on a semi-regular basis and chatting one-on-one for hours.

* you can easily spend the whole day with each other everyday.

* You guys can really talk about anything under the sun, and you totally understand how each other feel.

* Being with this type of friends can be both fun and emotionally fulfilling.

* They make you feel happy to be alive.