Here’s why your colleagues can be better than your friends

You clock in and clock out of your job each day, spending 40 hours or more per week with people from all walks of life. While some would caution against being besties with your coworkers, others believe making friends at work can lead to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and performance. From professional development to personal growth, stress management to extracurricular activities, our coworkers can be there for us in more ways than one. At times, they can even stand in for loved ones. When work stress hits, coworkers and colleagues can help you through these challenges in real time. Stress levels, for instance, can be exacerbated by the uncertainty caused by a crisis, like the current coronavirus pandemic. While grateful for sustained employment, we may turn to our workplace relationships for the on-demand support and fortitude we need to navigate these extraordinary circumstances. Click through this gallery to discover the benefits of building and maintaining strong bonds with your coworkers and the ways in which your colleagues may be better than your friends.