Why have friends? Research shows that having great friendships means people are healthier, happier and live longer than those who are socially isolated. Friendship: The joy of connection shows you how important friends are for a fulfilled and happy life. Anthony Gunn gives tips and suggestions on how to improve your social relationships, how to become more confident in social situations, how to avoid traps that jeopardise friendships, and how to recognise unhealthy friendships and identify behavioural patterns that prevent you from making the most of your social connections. He inspires you to step out of your comfort zone to invest time in friendship, make new friends, improve existing friendships and challenge yourself to overcome habits that negatively impact on your friends, family and yourself.