International Friendship Day is a global event which has been recognized by United Nations. The event is celebrated annually on 30th July and encourages people to connect with friends.
Friendships have a huge impact on your mental health. Spending time with friends can reduce stress and depression and bring happiness into our lives. Good friends can provide comfort and joy and prevent loneliness and isolation.
Let’s look at some of the ways we can celebrate International Friendship Day:
Meet up with a friend
There is no better way to celebrate International Friendship day than spending some time with your friends. You could go out, grab a coffee, go for a meal, do some shopping, or simply go for a walk.
Tell your friends how much you appreciate them
Friends are some of the most important people in your life. A good friend accepts you the way you are - no matter what - so it’s important to tell your friends how much you appreciate them.
Send a gift
You could brighten up your friend’s day by sending them a gift such as flowers or chocolates. Alternatively, you could keep it simple and send a card to let them know how grateful you are to have them as your friend.
Go on a day trip
If you get the chance, plan a day out with your friend. You could go to a place where you have memories together or you could spend the day making new memories and having quality time together.
Reach out to an old friend
Why not reach out to a friend you have not seen for a while? You could call them and catch up on their lives, have a laugh and recall memories you have together.
Share memories on your social media
One of the best things about social media is we can always stay connected with friends. Share your favourite memories with your friends on social media and use #InternationalFriendshipDay to encourage others to connect.
Make new friends
To celebrate International Friendship day, why not set yourself a challenge to talk to a stranger? This could be in a coffee shop, at the gym or even in work. You could be surprised how much you have in common, and it could blossom into a great friendship.
Friendship is a two-way relationship. Spend some time on International Friendship Day reflecting on how you are as a friend. It is vital we listen and do not judge. Friends support each other through tough times; make sure you are checking in with them regularly and pay attention to what they are saying. People who nurture positive relationships are often happier, healthier, and live longer.
Caring about others is fundamental to our happiness so on International Friendship day, do something special with your friends because a friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.
