We only need 5 Friends in our life

London, July 23 (ANI): One just needs five trusted people in their lives, to cope with modern life, a new study has revealed.

To deal with the stress of our fast paced life we want an agony aunt, an emotional support, someone good with money, a practically minded person and a colleague we can ask for work advice.

The research demonstrates that a minimum of five friends and colleagues are now required to share out our problems and get useful advice from.

An agony aunt figure with whom we can share our problems, tops the list.

Secondly, we need some loved one who would put an arm around us and provide the quintessential emotional support.

The third most important friend is someone who can help us out with financial matters and advise us how to save money.

And fourth is a knowledgeable friend or family member we can turn to for advice on life's practical matters.

The fifth most important person one should have is a colleague we can look to for help and advice in the workplace, according to the study by Nationwide Building Society.

However, the research revealed that despite the average Facebook user having 190 friends, 32 percent of Britain population still doesn't feel they really have anyone on their side.

Men are twice as likely to feel they have no one to turn to (42 percent) in their daily lives as compared to women (23 percent).

And it proved the notion wrong that those in the north are friendlier, people (73 percent) in the South East of England feel more supported than any other region.

Those over the age of 55 felt they had fewer trusted friends (40 percent) than any other age group.

The research highlighted the needs for someone to listen to our problems (23 percent), to provide emotional support (18 percent) and to ease the pressures of everyday life (18 percent).

The current economic climate has also affected people's minds, with money issues now one of the main reasons they feel the need for a support network.

One in six (16 percent) say they need someone to help them save money or get rid of debt, according to the study of 1,047 UK adults.

Meanwhile, 15 percent of the Britain's population confides in work colleagues and one in 20 (5 percent) look to their boss for help and advice.

The research shows support at work is more important to men, with 11 percent looking for advice in this area compared to just five percent of women.

In contrast, 15 percent of women say they need someone they can turn to help them manage family relationships.

"No matter how strong and independent people are, we all need someone to lean on at key stages in life," the Daily Mail quoted Susan Quilliam, relationship psychologist, as saying.

"It could be an ear to listen, a wise head to provide some advice, a shoulder to cry on or someone who is completely removed from the situation you are in.

Photo by Mashable (via the Yahoo! Contributor Network)

"Strong support networks are essential to help alleviate the pressures of life, decision-making and ultimately, stop people from feeling like they are on their own," she said.

Quilliam said that talking to different people and seeking advice may provide fresh perspective and impartial points-of-view helps one think and decide in a clearer manner.

"No-one should or can make decisions for you but the knowledge that someone else is on your side can make all the difference when it comes to your wellbeing," she added. (ANI)