The Healing Power of Friendships
“Friendships can play an important protective role in the reduction of stress. In fact, experts suggest that one of the most effective ways to reduce symptoms of stress and burnout is to reach out to others (APA, 2022; Smith, Siegel, and Robinson, 2023). As Smith, Siegel, and Robinson write, "Social contact is nature's antidote to stress, and talking face to face with a good listener is one of the fastest ways to calm your nervous system and relieve stress." Not only can friends be a sounding board to help you process and ameliorate the stress you're feeling, but they also can serve as a distraction from it. By encouraging stress-free activities or even something as simple as chatting over a cup of coffee, friends can help counter some of the more severe and debilitating symptoms of burnout, such as apathy, loss of enjoyment, detachment, and isolation.
It's also important to remember that although almost all of us benefit from the addition of social and emotional support in our lives, it's not necessarily true that quantity outweighs quality. Having strong connections can significantly reduce your stress level, but you don’t need a huge network of friends to reap the benefits; A handful (or even fewer) can be just as effective and beneficial in reducing stress as large groups of friends (APA, 2022). You also don't need to (and shouldn't) wait for friends to reach out to you. Take the initiative and invite friends (or co-workers) to join you in stress-relieving activities, such as yoga classes, working out, or sharing whatever activity both you and they enjoy doing.”
Read the whole article at Psychology Today
#Healing #Relationships #Friendships #MentalHealth #EmotionalSupport #SocialSupport
💬 What are some of the benefits of having close friendships that you experience and how do these relationships contribute to your overall happiness and well-being?
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@globalBraid3744
I only have one friend left now. Instead of lessening my stress is he often induces it. I don't want to avoid him but i sometimes do because of this.
@Gettingbettertoday
I can imagine how difficult it must be for you to only have one friend left. Moreover, the fact that the friend induces more stress for you is making it hard to spend time with them. Remember, it is okay to prioritize your own needs and make choices that are best for your own health and happiness. We need to feel good ourselves before being able to support people around us.
