4 ways friendships can improve your mental health!

Hey there, my fellow millennials! Remember the days when friendship was as easy as sharing your favorite crayon? Or sitting next to someone in college?

Now we are adults with jobs and trying to figure it all out. And when we probably need those friendships the most, it seems to be the most difficult time to make friends.

While it may not be as easy as sharing snacks at lunchtime or sharing biology notes, adult friendships are worth the effort. Finding our people and having a community can actually impact our mental health! Here are 4 ways friendships can benefit our mental health (and even some tips on how to make new friends)

Remember the golden days of playground adventures and sleepovers? Well, adult friendships can share the same playfulness while also being a huge source of support and encouragement. As we grow, our friendships evolve from sharing toys to sharing life's ups and downs.

Here's why these connections are so vital for your mental well-being:

1. Laughter: The Power of a Good Chuckle

Our adult friends have the knack for cracking you up even on your darkest days. It is so powerful to have that friend you can call or text and without even having to explain your pain, they can distract you with goofy stories, jokes, or latest drama. Laughter is so good for our soul and our brain! It's not just about the humor, but the bonding experience of sharing joy. A good laugh can release endorphins, boost your mood, and provide a temporary escape from the everyday stresses of adult life.

You can even do this by sharing memes or TikToks online, joining an online community and posting for goofy content, or watching silly videos with friends.

2. The Art of Venting: When a Good Rant is Essential

Sometimes, you just need to let it all out. Your adult friends become your designated listeners and shoulder to cry on. Sharing your challenges and frustrations with a friend can be incredibly cathartic. It not only relieves emotional pressure but also helps you gain perspective and clarity on your problems. Our adult friends tend to be in more mature places than our school aged friends. This means they often have the emotional bandwidth to hear you out, offer support, validation, and encouragement. They also may have lived experience and can offer advice or their experience if that is helpful to you.

It can be helpful to ask your pals if they are in a space to hear a good vent sesh and if they say yes, let those thoughts and feelings out because you deserve to be seen and heard!!!

3. Solace in Shared Experiences: Understanding Your Journey

Whether it's navigating the wild world of parenthood, dealing with a demanding job, or simply adulting like a pro, your friends understand your struggles because they're right there with you. They've likely faced similar challenges or are currently experiencing them, making it easier to empathize and connect. Shared experiences create a sense of camaraderie and a feeling that you're not alone in your journey.

This is such a healing part of friendships that often goes overlooked. So many times when we are struggling we feel alone, we feel inadequate, and we tend to isolate. By sharing these with our friends, we realize it is not something wrong with us and this suffering is something everyone experiences. It is an empowering experience!

4. Social Support: Lean on Me, When You're Not Strong

In a world that sometimes feels like a rollercoaster, your friends are your seatbelts. They're there to remind you that you're not alone and offer the support you need. During times of hardship, they can provide emotional support, practical assistance, and a safe space to express your feelings. This social support acts as a buffer against stress and can enhance your resilience in the face of adversity.

Some mental health symptoms trick our brain into isolating to protect ourselves. We think it is easier to do it all ourselves or we think we are a burden or broken. Those are tricks your brain is telling you. Social support, sharing, connection, those are things that minimize shame, guilt, and pain.

This isn’t always easy. I am aware! These things take time, energy, and vulnerability. So even if you are starting small, you can feel a positive impact on your overall wellness.

Making Time for Friendships: Prioritizing Your People!!

Admittedly, adulting can be chaotic. Balancing work, family, and personal commitments can make it challenging to find time for friends. However, the effort you put into maintaining friendships is a small investment with a huge return.

Regularly scheduling catch-up sessions, whether they're brunches, game nights, or just quick coffee chats, can help nurture your friendships. Remember, friendships require nurturing, just like a plant needs water and sunlight. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's important to prioritize these connections.

If regular outings are not in your schedule, don’t forget small things like a quick text letting your friends know you’re thinking of them or a hand written card. Maybe they are going through something but you don’t have the energy to really be there for them, that’s okay. Try sending a small gift card for coffee or offer to make them a meal. Connection can be creative when we are in a busy season.

Building New Friendships: Expanding Your Social Circle

You may be reading this and thinking wow this sounds wonderful, but what if I don’t have those people in my life? Making adult friendships are HARD! We are busy with work, we don’t naturally have play dates anymore, and we often have other responsibilities that take up our time and energy.

It may mean getting a little creative and trying new things, but these friendships are really worth it. They can help with out mental health, help us experience joy, feel connected, and often help us with other areas in our life.

So where are these people? Join clubs, take up hobbies, attend meetups, and try to expand your social circle. The more, the merrier! It's never too late to make new connections and broaden your social support network.

Do you like playing sports? Check for local running groups or intermural activities. Is there a book club in your area? Can you join local facebook groups and see what events people are doing. Can you bring your kids somewhere and connect with other parents?

The world is filled with like-minded people who share your interests and values. Being open to meeting new friends can lead to unexpected and rewarding relationships.

So, keep nurturing those adult friendships, because they're not just a luxury; they're a lifeline to your mental health, and you, my friend, deserve all the happiness in the world. Cherish your laughter-filled moments, venting sessions, shared experiences, and wisdom exchanges. Your friends are not just companions; they're essential ingredients in the recipe of your well-being. 🌟💖

In a world that never stops changing, your friendships are constants, offering warmth, joy, and love. So, go ahead, pick up the phone and plan your next get-together. Your mental health will thank you for it.

If you need help navigating some of the symptoms like isolation or old attachment wounds while exploring these friendships, check out more about counseling and see if that could be a tool to work towards these deeper connections.

Take care of yourself,

Alicia Johnson

Online Therapist based in Ann Arbor Michigan and providing therapy for people across Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida, Delaware, and South Carolina.