June 8 is Best Friends Day

Why Friendship is Crucial for Success

In 1935, Congress chose June 8 as Best Friends Day, a day to reflect on the importance of close friendships in our lives. This year, Best Friends Day may hold special significance to many people as we emerge from pandemic-related isolation, and we are reminded of the importance of a close support network in our personal, professional, and academic lives.

Growing Your Support Network

Social support is crucial to help you cope with the stresses of day-to-day life. A support network can be made of your family, friends, classmates, or co-workers. What matters is that you have someone you can talk to.

A support network doesn’t have to be formally established, nor do you need a dozen BFFs. A chat with a colleague over lunch, a pleasant exchange with your neighbor over the fence, or study session with a classmate: each situation is cultivating relationships that can help you during hard times.

How to Feel Less Alone

Isolation can cause psychological and even physical issues. Social isolation is associated with poor mental health, cardiovascular issues, and an unhealthy lifestyle. Conversely, the benefits of social support include:

• Ability to cope with stress.
• Ability to cope with emotional distress.
• Cultivation of mental health.
• Enhanced self-esteem.
• Ability to adhere to long-term plans.

Support networks have been strained during the past year — without the ability to naturally socialize at work and at school, many people have felt isolated and stressed to an unusual degree. The good news is that technology has allowed for increased social interaction during these unusual times. Video chatting is on the rise, and people have been able to meet with groups virtually for work meetings, study groups, and social interactions like happy hour or trivia nights.

How to Make New Friends

Building a group of people you can talk to on a regular basis doesn’t always come naturally, especially as adults. You might have to make an effort to reach out and establish those relationships. There are several ways you can make an effort to connect:

• Volunteer. Pick a cause you’re passionate about and find a local organization that offers services in that area. You’ll meet like-minded people with similar passions that live nearby.
• Join a fitness group. Whether you like hiking, running, cycling, playing tennis, or any other activity, you can find local groups where you can meet new people with the same interests. Try meetup.com or search Facebook for a group of local enthusiasts.
• Talk to your classmates! Taking a class is a great opportunity to meet people with the same career goals and academic aspirations that you have. If you’re a CSU Global student, login to Canvas and reach out to your classmates through the Internet Café discussion board.

Don’t Go It Alone

Reaching out to strangers to build a social network can be intimidating, but the benefits of a social group that you can talk to about your struggles with work, school, or daily life will significantly outweigh the stress of establishing such a group to begin with. Don’t underestimate the value of the people who support you, and don’t try to shoulder all of your burdens alone!