I'm not sure why this was down-voted. Poster is right about the correlation-causation. When I'm stress-free and stable, I have an easy time maintaining friendships. When I'm stressed out and overloaded, I don't have time for friends, and when I do, I sometimes drive people away.
I find having friends makes burdens lighter. Having a conversation with someone during a stressful time is a great way to gain perspective, get helpful advice, just talk though it, or at minimum, escape for a bit.
