Covid-19 outbreak has challenged our friendships and reported increase in mental health issues across the world, but the new way of making friends is much more reliable, cosy, long-lasting and deeper than before.
Happy Friendship Day!
Covid-19 outbreak has challenged our friendships and reported increase in mental health issues across the world, but the new way of making friends is much more reliable, cosy, long-lasting and deeper than before.
In discussion with psychiatrists in Indore in light of various surveys and researches conducted on the subject recently, it is evident that post covid-19 friends are few, but friendship means much more.
In a survey conducted by SnapChat, it was found that some people’s (49%) closest friendships have deepened, thanks to having the time to engage in more meaningful conversations, others (51%) are left feeling more lonely than before the pandemic.
Further, 87% participants of the survey said they relied on digital communications to stay in touch with friends, and 76% said they were able to have deeper conversations, rather than focusing on surface-level small talk.
In a survey conducted by, online dating app Tinder reveals that 9 in 10 Indians are using dating apps to know new people or to simply stay connected. “41 per cent Indian singles are open to match with 'a food lover like me', around 36 per cent hope to match with 'the one with a sense of humour', and 32 per cent hope to meet 'movie enthusiasts'," said the survey.
Casual relationships are fading away from Gen Z. A simple example would be the social media status floating like, “I no longer have time or energy for surface level friendships. Let's build something deep and meaningful.”
Shrinking social networks, aversion to vulnerability
As often defined and quoted by University of Oxford, the size of personal social networks typically involves just 1.5 intimates (the people you confide in), five close friends, 15 best friends, 50 good friends, and 150 friends.
“Now, we are shrinking this and focusing on intimate and close friends mostly. This is happening as a result of better understanding of self and aversion to vulnerability,” Dr Smita Agrawal, a consultant psychiatrist, said.
Other than family, emotions declines by 1/3 every year
"The emotional quality of the relationship declines by about a third (1/3) for every year you don't see someone,” said Dr Pawan Rathi, a consultant psychiatrist. He added that this doesn't apply to family members or best friend forever from kindergarten, which is more like a family relationship.
“They're more forgiving of lack of contact, so people are growing relationships of such kinds of relationships and getting away from the casual ones following lockdown,” Dr Rathi said.
No time for casual friends
Karishma Rai, a management trainee, “Before covid-19, I was the type to befriend nearly everyone.” However, staying in her small circle at home, things have changed.
“Now, when it comes to making new friends, I don’t feel the need of casual friendships anymore,” she added.
“In the past, I would give people the benefit of the doubt, more than once, but now if I feel something is off, I can’t waste energy and leave the door open,” Hari Krishnan, a student counsellor, said.
Covid-19 outbreak has challenged our friendships and reported increase in mental health issues across the world, but the new way of making friends is much more reliable, cosy, long-lasting and deeper than before.
In discussion with psychiatrists in Indore in light of various surveys and researches conducted on the subject recently, it is evident that post covid-19 friends are few, but friendship means much more.
In a survey conducted by SnapChat, it was found that some people’s (49%) closest friendships have deepened, thanks to having the time to engage in more meaningful conversations, others (51%) are left feeling more lonely than before the pandemic.
Further, 87% participants of the survey said they relied on digital communications to stay in touch with friends, and 76% said they were able to have deeper conversations, rather than focusing on surface-level small talk.
In a survey conducted by, online dating app Tinder reveals that 9 in 10 Indians are using dating apps to know new people or to simply stay connected. “41 per cent Indian singles are open to match with 'a food lover like me', around 36 per cent hope to match with 'the one with a sense of humour', and 32 per cent hope to meet 'movie enthusiasts'," said the survey.
Casual relationships are fading away from Gen Z. A simple example would be the social media status floating like, “I no longer have time or energy for surface level friendships. Let's build something deep and meaningful.”
Shrinking social networks, aversion to vulnerability
As often defined and quoted by University of Oxford, the size of personal social networks typically involves just 1.5 intimates (the people you confide in), five close friends, 15 best friends, 50 good friends, and 150 friends.
“Now, we are shrinking this and focusing on intimate and close friends mostly. This is happening as a result of better understanding of self and aversion to vulnerability,” Dr Smita Agrawal, a consultant psychiatrist, said.
Other than family, emotions declines by 1/3 every year
"The emotional quality of the relationship declines by about a third (1/3) for every year you don't see someone,” said Dr Pawan Rathi, a consultant psychiatrist. He added that this doesn't apply to family members or best friend forever from kindergarten, which is more like a family relationship.
“They're more forgiving of lack of contact, so people are growing relationships of such kinds of relationships and getting away from the casual ones following lockdown,” Dr Rathi said.
No time for casual friends
Karishma Rai, a management trainee, “Before covid-19, I was the type to befriend nearly everyone.” However, staying in her small circle at home, things have changed.
“Now, when it comes to making new friends, I don’t feel the need of casual friendships anymore,” she added.
“In the past, I would give people the benefit of the doubt, more than once, but now if I feel something is off, I can’t waste energy and leave the door open,” Hari Krishnan, a student counsellor, said.