Even though most of us say that we value our friendships, do we invest as much into them as we should? Probably not. In fact, a recent survey by YouGov showed that over a third of Brits have friends that they don’t even bother to see.
It’s understandable. As we reach maturity, our focus often shifts to creating romantic connections rather than maintaining platonic ones.
Similarly, each of us can only get older. Your lists of responsibilities grow with the passing years, and it becomes harder for you to devote as much time to friends as you used to.
Yet, during the past few years in which we lost the freedom to spend time with our loved ones, one lesson that we all learned is that our social connections are more precious than we realise.
But just why are friendships so important? And what can you do to keep them strong? Keep reading for our discussion of these topics below.
Why is friendship so important?
Quality friendships are key for your health since spending time together encourages your brain to release endorphins. These keep you relaxed and help your body to fight against the harmful effects of stress.
Additionally, research shows that friendships act as a buffer against stress in the first place, as well as the harmful toxins that come with it
Friendships give us a support network. When things get really tough, a good friend becomes someone to lean on and open up to. In this way, your friends preserve your mental health as well as your physical.
Ways to nurture your friendships
The first and foremost way to nurture friendships is to make conscious efforts to spend more time with your friends. Try to set up monthly or even weekly meetings if your schedules allow for it.
However, you don’t necessarily need to see your friends often. Even seeing them around important dates that are usually classed as “family time”, such as Christmas and Easter, is a great way to show that you care. Giving them a Christmas card collage of your favourite moments together over the years is a great way to remember those wonderful memories and strengthen the bond even more.
Why not go one step further and make 2022 the year you give your friends some chocolate Easter eggs. Seasonal gifts like these can go a long way to show your friends that they’re in your thoughts.
Similarly, you can send birthday and anniversary cards. Alternatively, just send them a short message. Spending money on them isn’t the main thing; it’s showing your friends that they’re important enough to you to deserve some effort that really counts.
But, contrary to the oft-repeated adage, sometimes words speak louder than actions. Show some vulnerability by simply telling your friends what they mean to you – you could hardly find a better way to nurture your friendships.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
