Celebrating National Friendship Day
“Close friends are truly life's treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never really alone.”
― Vincent van Gogh
On August 2, we celebrate National Friendship Day. It is a time to acknowledge the strength and power of having friends we can count on every day in our lives.
"Friendships are important during the good and the bad times. They help us find support in times of need and also give us the opportunity to enjoy and share the happiest times of our lives with others,” says Allison DiMenna, LAC, Outpatient Therapist, Acenda Counseling & Wellness Centers. “There are many benefits to close friendships including improvement in physical and emotional health, as well as a lesser chance of loneliness as we get older.”
Here are 5 ways that friendships help us with our mental well-being:
- Support us through the hard times. Friends are there to lend an ear, a helping hand, and can offer advice and insight when we are struggling. Being able to share challenging thoughts and feelings can decrease the chances of depressive symptoms.
- Prevent loneliness. Having friends to do things with can enrich our lives. Whether going for a walk, chatting on the phone, or having dinner together, friends help us stay busy and enjoy life.
- Improve our brain health. Having others there to support us gives us the ability to openly share how we feel. When we know we can count on others, we tend to feel better mentally.
- Bring happiness into our lives. Whether it’s sharing something funny that happened, or a secret you have never shared before, friends can brighten our days.
- Improve your confidence and self-worth. Friends are there to boost us up and make us feel important. During good and bad times, their encouragement is essential.
We all deserve to have healthy relationships that bring us happiness and help us grow as individuals. For some individuals, developing friendships can be challenging due to circumstances in their lives. If you are dealing with loneliness or anxiety, Acenda can help. Our clinicians are available to help with a wide array of mental health care and support. Call our main number at 844-4-ACENDA (844-422-3632 x9500) for more information about our counseling and telehealth services.
Sources:
www.friendshipday.org
liveabout.com
verywellmind.com