The Power of Friendships...A Mental Reset

In a world where life's chaos can easily overwhelm us, friendships serve as a sanctuary for our

minds, a refuge where we can recharge and rediscover ourselves. We have reached that time

where self-care is often considered as a peak priority. Being with those people who get us, care for us, make us laugh, help us and truly make us grow- our friends- can be one of the most healing experiences.

There are two aspects to friendships serving as a source of mental reset. Looking at it

practically, we often have flourishing friendships with those around our age. This gives us a

starting point in knowing that those friends might be going through some of the same things as us, feeling the same way and even battling similar emotions. Problems crop up in everyone's lives and having a shoulder to rest on gives us reassurance and comfort. It's out of common experience that one finds it relieving to talk to their friends, without the fear of being judged, about a certain issue. We have all heard of terms like “ranting” or “venting” to a trusted one. This helps lighten that sadness weighing on our hearts or even getting some clarity through solutions they may provide. It always helps to know that your friendships are something you can count on in the time of need.

Now, for the slightly soft headed view of friendship. Imagine laughing with someone at the most impractical thing, so hard that your stomach starts hurting and tears of joy are flowing down your cheeks. That feeling when you run to tell a friend something that excites you and they are always there to hype you up about it. All the crazy, childish things you have done or the totally humorless jokes you have laughed at with these friends. Doesn’t just thinking about it make one feel automatically uplifted? From personal experience I can say that being with good-hearted, real friends works like magic. Friendships are a soul connection and spending time with friends is said to increase dopamine and oxytocin levels as well as improve cardiovascular health. This serves as a reminder to embrace our friendships and make the most out of their enigmatic effects.

-Aaliyah Tambawala