Colorado State University - Global Campus
Blog
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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!