5 Reasons Why time with friends is essential for your mental health

One of the hardest things about starting college was making new friends and finding people to spend time with when we all lived so far apart from each other. As you get older, you gain more responsibilities – family, kids, work, etc. – that keep you from seeing your friends as often as you’d like to. But taking time out of your busy schedule to see your friends and spend quality time with them can be an important part of maintaining good mental health. Here are five reasons why spending time with friends is essential for your mental health.

1) Spending time with friends can change your outlook

1. You can learn new things and gain different perspectives from them.
2. They can provide support during tough times.
3. You can have fun together and relieve stress.
4. They can motivate you to meet your goals. Friends will often push you in a way that’s good for you. And while they don’t always agree with the decisions you make, they’ll usually offer their own perspective or understanding of what’s going on. Spending time with friends not only keeps us mentally healthy, but also physically healthy. Research has shown that social isolation (such as when people don’t have enough meaningful relationships) has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, depression, and even early death! So this summer when you’re stuck inside because of all the rain or can’t get out because of a busy schedule, find some quality time for yourself by spending it with a friend! Maybe you could visit one another at work or school, hang out at someone’s house, play games over FaceTime, watch movies over Skype – the possibilities are endless!

2) Friends help you find the positive in life

1. No matter what you’re going through, your friends will be there to help you find the positive in any situation.
2. Good friends have a way of lightening your load and making you feel better, even when it seems like nothing can cheer you up.
3. Spending time with friends can help reduce stress and anxiety, both of which can have a negative impact on your mental health.
4. Friends can provide a shoulder to cry on when you need it, and they’ll also be there to celebrate your successes with you.
5. Simply put, having good friends in your life is essential for maintaining good mental health. Studies show that those who lack social support are more likely to experience depression, loneliness, or an overall diminished quality of life. And while we all know that social media can sometimes feel like a substitute for in-person friendships (which isn’t always bad), research has shown that relationships formed online are less satisfying than those formed offline.
So make sure you’re spending enough time with your real-life pals! Grab lunch with them at least once a week or try to get together after work one day during the week. You’ll not only be supporting your mental health but theirs as well.

3) They’re there for support

Friends are great listeners and will offer support when you need it most. Good friends will also give you honest feedback and help you to see things from a different perspective. They can help you to make positive changes in your life and offer guidance when you’re feeling lost.
They help boost your self-esteem (five sentences): Spending time with friends can help boost your self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself. Friends can help you to see the positive aspects of yourself that you may be blind to. They can also provide encouragement and motivation when you’re feeling down.
You can be yourself around them: Friends provide a safe space where you can be yourself without judgement. They’ll listen to you, share their thoughts and feelings with you, and laugh at your jokes. If they don’t agree with what you’re saying, they’ll tell you so in a supportive way rather than tearing you down. They’ll encourage you to take risks and make mistakes because you won’t be judged by them.
You never have to worry about being bored: It’s impossible to spend time with friends and not have fun! Whether they’re your lifelong friend or someone who just recently became close, there’s always something new and exciting going on. And even if nothing happens, there’s always something funny or interesting to talk about.

4) They make everyday mundane things more fun

1. From the moment you wake up to the second you go to bed, there are a million things that need to be done. And a lot of them aren’t very fun. But having friends around can make even the most mundane tasks more enjoyable. Just think about it – would you rather do laundry by yourself or with a friend? Watch a movie alone or with a group of people? Friends make everyday life more fun.
2. Friends help you laugh – and laughter is good for your health! According to studies, laughing can improve your immune system, relieve pain, increase endorphins (which make you happy), and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Who doesn’t want all those benefits?!
3. They cheer you up when you’re feeling down: We all have days where we feel like everything is going wrong and we just want to curl up in bed and never come out again. But if you have a friend nearby, then this isn’t as much of an issue because they will remind you that the bad days won’t last forever and the sun will eventually come out again tomorrow.

5) They share experiences and memories

Good times with friends are some of the most cherished memories we have. They remind us of our youth, when life was carefree and fun. But more than just happy memories, spending time with friends can actually improve our mental health. Here are four ways how being around friends boosts your mental well-being:
1) Friends help you feel less lonely. Friendships provide a sense of belonging and companionship that’s difficult to find in other relationships, especially if you live alone or if you don’t get out much. You might not think about it this way, but feeling connected to others has a direct effect on the way we see ourselves. The power of connection has been proven in many different studies.
2) They make you feel understood. Friends are there to offer support, and when you’re feeling down or just need a fresh perspective, talking to them can help improve how you see yourself. Your friends understand you as a person and will offer feedback that might not be so easy to come by from family members or colleagues.
3) They can help you cope with feelings. It may sound clinch, but we all need somebody to talk to when things aren’t going well. Friends are usually happy to lend an ear and give advice based on their own experiences.
4) They cheer you up when you’re feeling down. Just like they offer encouragement during tough times, they also have the ability to pick up your spirits in good moments too!