By Mountain Pacific
July 30, 2023
Every year on July 30, people worldwide celebrate International Friendship Day. It is a day to appreciate the beauty of friendships and their impact on our well-being. How did this day get its start, and why are friendships so important to our good health?
The History of Friendship Day
The idea of Friendship Day began in the U.S. in the early 1900s. It was originally created by the Hallmark company to sell greeting cards. Friendship Day exploded in popularity, and it was made an official American observance in 1935. But Friendship Day soon lost its popularity. By 1940 it was no longer widely observed in America.
Fast forward to 1958. Dr. Ramón Artemio Bracho of Paraguay suggested a World Friendship Day while at dinner with friends. The goal was to promote peace and understanding among nations. They all agreed a worldwide day of friendship was a great idea, and the World Friendship Crusade was born. The idea gained momentum over time, and in 2011, the United Nations officially made July 30 International Friendship Day. Many countries celebrate Friendship Day at other times of the year, but the theme of friendship and connection remains.
Friendship and Our Health
Friendship has profound effects on our physical and mental health. Studies have shown that strong friendships
- reduce stress and anxiety,
- increase happiness and overall satisfaction,
- contribute to a longer life by lowering your blood pressure and decreasing your risk for common health problems such as heart disease or diabetes,
- improve mental health by reducing loneliness and depression,
- encourage habits like exercise and a healthy diet,
- help in physical and mental recovery after trauma.
In addition to their positive influence on our mental and physical well-being, friends bring joy, support and understanding.
Celebrating friendship should last more than a day, but if you want to do something special with a friend on July 30, here are some ideas:
- Meet for a morning walk and a cup of coffee.
- Create a nice post on social media.
- Volunteer together to celebrate your friendship while helping others.
- Call a friend you have not seen in a while.
- Play a sport or plan an outdoor activity you both enjoy like tennis, golf, hiking or fishing.
- Take a class to learn something new together.
Whatever you decide to do this International Friendship Day, remember that making time for your friends is good for your health.
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