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Our relationships have a significant impact on our overall well-being: mental, spiritual, and physical health. They assist us in celebrating good times, offering support during bad times, and filling our lives with companionship to help prevent feelings of isolation and depression. Which is why the Bible reminds us there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. This friend can be a best friend or a family member.
However, in today's busy world, it is not always easy to maintain the relationships we have. We are so preoccupied with juggling dozens of responsibilities that we frequently neglect our family and friends. We only realize how much we've neglected one of the most important aspects of our lives when it's too late.
Read on to find out how and why you should make the most of your time with friends and family, so you never take them for granted again.
What are the Benefits of Spending Time with Family and Friends?
We live in a time when everyone appears to be connected via their screens. We use social media as if our lives depended on it. And we've convinced ourselves that by sending a text or clicking on a 'Like' button, we've accomplished our daily social interaction goals.
Humans, on the other hand, are social beings. Starting at screens all day is the polar opposite of that, which is why a large body of research indicates that excessive use of social media platforms is one of the leading risk factors for feeling isolated, lonely, and anxious.
On the other hand, staying in touch with friends and family does wonders for your mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health. Keeping in touch with friends and family members should ideally entail weekly phone calls and in-person get-togethers. When we focus on building quality relationships we can reap the below benefits:
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Stress Relief
When we feel isolated or disconnected, we are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, and depression. Being around people we care about and who care about us, on the other hand, can be uplifting and help us feel more grounded and at ease, which is why research shows 36% of Americans increase their social interaction to cope with stress.
Furthermore, engaging in activities with others, such as going for a walk, playing a game, or conversing, can serve as a distraction from our daily stresses and help us feel more relaxed and present. Finally, discussing our stress with others can help us process and work through our emotions, which can be a useful coping mechanism.
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Improved Mental Health
Spending time with family and friends has been shown to improve mental health in a variety of ways. For starters, socializing with others can help lift our spirits and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Second, there has long been evidence that social interaction and mental health have a cause-and-effect relationship. Research has shown, face-to-face contact, according to can lower the risk of mental illnesses such as depression, addiction and anxiety. Finally, talking about our feelings with someone can be a helpful way to process and work through any challenges we may be facing, which can help improve our overall mental health.
Encourages You to Avoid Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Spending time with family and friends can encourage you to avoid unhealthy habits in a few different ways. First, the people you are with may model healthy behaviors, which can inspire you to adopt those behaviors as well. For example, if you are with friends who enjoy going for walks or hikes, you may be more likely to join them and get some exercise yourself. Additionally, the social support and positive reinforcement that you receive from loved ones can help you to feel more motivated to maintain healthy habits. When you know that your family and friends care about your well-being, you may be more likely to take care of yourself and make choices that support your overall health.
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Increased Self-Esteem
Being surrounded by a supportive network of people can aid in the development of confidence and the maintenance of a healthy self-esteem. It can help us feel more valued and appreciated when we have people in our lives who care about us and are there for us.
In addition, participating in activities with others can make us feel more competent and capable. When we are able to contribute to group endeavors and have a sense of purpose and belonging, our self-esteem can improve. Finally, spending time with people we care about and who care about us can make us feel better about ourselves and our relationships. This can result in a general sense of fulfillment and well-being, which can contribute to higher self-esteem.
Practical Support During Challenging Times
Spending time with family and friends can be extremely helpful for getting through challenging times, such as an illness, divorce, or job loss. When you are facing a difficult situation, the love and support of your loved ones can be a source of comfort and strength. They can provide emotional support by listening to you, offering words of encouragement, and helping you to feel less alone. They can also offer practical assistance, such as help with childcare, transportation, or errands. Having people you can rely on during tough times can make a big difference in your ability to cope with stress and adversity. In addition, spending time with loved ones can help to distract you from your problems and provide a sense of normalcy and routine, which can be very helpful in times of crisis.
Increases Your Sense of Purpose and Belonging
Spending time with family and friends can increase your sense of purpose and belonging in several ways. First, being with loved ones can give you a sense of connection and support, which can help you feel more grounded and fulfilled. When you have people in your life who care about you and who you care about in return, you may feel more motivated to pursue your goals and lead a meaningful life.
Additionally, spending time with family and friends can give you a sense of belonging and community, which can be especially important if you are facing challenges or transitions in your life. When you have a strong network of supportive people around you, you may feel more confident and capable of tackling difficult situations. Finally, participating in shared activities and traditions with your loved ones can give you a sense of purpose and contribute to your sense of identity and belonging.
You May Live Longer
There is some evidence to suggest that maintaining close relationships with those you care about, such as family and friends, can help you live a longer life. Researchers conducted a study that lasted for nine years and found that those individuals who had no social ties were approximately three times more likely to pass away than those individuals who had strong relationships with their friends and family. Research also has shown that people who are able to maintain strong relationships live longer lives than those who do not have social connections. This is true even for people who live unhealthy lifestyles but are able maintain quality connections.
How to Make the Most of Quality Time with Friends and Family
Possibly, one of the things that get in the way of connecting with friends and family is that we’re too tired. Staying connected means staying active, scheduling times that suit both of you, and coming up with things to do together.
Yet, once you make an effort, you’ll realize it was just what you needed to make you feel happier and less stressed. To help you get inspired, we put together a list of fun-filled ideas you can try the next time you are looking to spend quality time with family and friends.
Pray together
Try out a new restaurant or coffee shop.
Sign up for a dance class.
Visit an art gallery or museum.
Plan ‘Game Night.’
Go to church
Hire a rowing boat at a local lake.
Make a DIY list of things that need repairs or touch-ups around the house and go through them one by one.
Pick up a new hobby or activity together.
Spend time talking about your feelings
Plan a crafting night where you knit, crochet, color, or pretty much anything creative!
Keep track of important events in each other’s lives and celebrate them.
Organize a clothes swap.
Attend a TED talk together.
Host a ‘spa’ night and do each other’s nails.
Gather stuff you don’t want and host a yard sale.
Read a book together
Enjoy a Broadway (or off-Broadway) show.
Sync up your washing, grocery shopping or other task schedules so you can meet and do errands at the same time.
Plan a getaway for the weekend.
Set up a home tasting party.
Visit a make-your-own pottery studio.
Try an Escape Room.
Go bowling or Glow-in-the-Dark bowling for even more fun.
Invite your friends or family over for breakfast or brunch while dressed in your PJs.
Organize a Swap Clothes day.
Go shopping!
Go to a karaoke bar or rent a karaoke machine and have a karaoke night at home.
See a comedy show.
Do a Bible study together
Book tickets to the ballet or the symphony and get all dressed up.
Enjoy a ball game from the bleachers.
Go jumping at a trampoline park.
Brew some herbal tea, sit back, and relax while enjoying afternoon tea and biscuits.
Attend community events.
Use conversation cards to deepen your relationship
Final Thoughts on Spending Time With Family and Friends
While spending quality time with friends and family members have a lot of benefits, I also want to acknowledge that sometimes relationships hurt. When relationships hurt, that relationship can get in the way of reaping the above health benefits. If you find yourself struggling to spend quality time with other, exploring past or current relationships hurts with a Christian mental health provider may help. You can search our directory of Christian therapists, life coaches and other mental health providers here: find a local Christian counselor or life coach.
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About the Author:
Corine Williams, Ph.D. is Clinical Psychologist that is currently seeing clients in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. You can find out more about her practice by visiting
www.therapyforchristians.com/corinewilliams. In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Williams is also passionate about writing books and designing merchandise that educate, uplift, and normalize mental health subject in the Christian community. You can find out more about her at www.booksbycorine.com or by visiting her amazon profile here: https://www.amazon.com/Corine-Hyman/e/B00AWZ5FL2
Help us increase mental health awareness in the Christian community by donating through our paypal link here: www.paypal.com/therapyforchristians, joining our mailing list by clicking below, or join our provider list here: Provider listing
Disclaimer: the information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are looking for a Christian counselor near you, please check out our directory located here: Christians Therapist Near Me
