As students and new grads, we often find ourselves juggling multiple responsibilities. These can and will look different for everyone but can include academic pressure, job search stress, working, extracurriculars, and financial challenges. So, for some people, it can be easy to neglect our social lives and underestimate the value of spending time with friends. However, maintaining strong connections with friends is important for our mental well-being, all the time, but especially during this stage of life.
Dealing with Isolation and Loneliness
One of the most significant issues that students and new grads face is the feeling of isolation. Some of us might live away from home, deal with demanding academic or work schedules, and experience the pressures of transitioning to a new phase of life, all of which can contribute to a sense of loneliness. This is where friends play an important role, and why I think we should all be thankful for them. Spending time with them helps us combat some isolation we might feel and establish a support system, giving us a sense of belonging and reducing some feelings of loneliness.
Stress Relief and Emotional Support
The challenges of academic life, job search, and financial constraints can take a toll on our mental health. Spending time with friends acts as a powerful stress reliever and provides emotional support during times of distress. Whether it's a casual hangout, a laughter-filled movie night, or a heart-to-heart conversation, the presence of friends can help alleviate anxiety and provide a safe space for sharing and relating to our struggles.
Enhancing Self-Esteem and Confidence
Building and maintaining strong friendships positively impacts our self-esteem and confidence. Friends offer validation, encouragement, and constructive feedback, which are essential for our personal and professional growth. They can act as a sounding board for our ideas, provide reassurance during self-doubt, and celebrate our achievements, boosting our self-confidence.
Fostering a Sense of Community and Belonging
As students or new grads, we often find ourselves navigating unfamiliar environments, whether it's a new campus, a new workplace, or a new city. And if you’re anything like me, you find dealing with change really hard. Friends help to make us feel better about new situations, introduce us to new experiences, help us navigate our surroundings, and create a sense of home away from home, even if they aren’t physically with us all the time.
Promoting Mental and Emotional Resilience
In the face of academic or career-related setbacks, having a supportive group of friends can significantly contribute to our mental and emotional resilience. They offer diverse perspectives, share their own experiences, and provide the reassurance that we are not alone in our struggles.
Final Thoughts
Spending time with friends isn’t just a recreational activity, it’s an essential component of maintaining good mental health, especially for students and new grads. It can provide the much-needed emotional support, stress relief, and sense of community. So, don't underestimate the value of a good yap, a shared meal or sweet treat, or a fun outing with friends - it's all part of taking care of your mental health, and who doesn’t love a little self care!