The Value of Friendship

Deep, long-lasting friendships can radically improve one's quality of life, improving days, offering joy, and giving one a strong sense of connection.

Friendship can even improve your health. Engaging in deep friendship offers us a chance to grow, grieve, and celebrate alongside companions.

Many of us have spent a good portion of the past year away from the friends who mean most to us. As the pandemic in America begins to come to an end, here are a few simple ways to deepen your existing friendships and help lay the groundwork for new ones.

Touch base. Reach out and let them know you're thinking of them.

Offer your time. Whether it's a phone call, a walk, or helping a friend put together a piece of IKEA furniture, giving the gift of your time is a powerful way to show someone you care.

Get comfortable with silence. Resist the need to fill every gap with conversation or activities. Sometimes just being with someone else can do wonders to strengthen the relationship.

Respect boundaries. Boundaries are healthy in friendships, too. Setting boundaries is an excellent way for friends to know how best to show up for each other. Healthy boundaries can help friends respect each other's time, space, and emotional wellbeing.

Open up. The most powerful way to deepen a friendship is to be willing to be vulnerable with another person. Share your dreams and greatest joys, and perhaps your friend will, too.