When you’ve got a hectic career or there’s something in your life that’s taking up all your focus, friendships can begin to fall into a state of disrepair.
While all friendships change and evolve naturally with time, it’s safe to say that we’ve all had moments in life where we may not have given our friendships the attention they deserve. The trouble is, whether you’re overlooking your friendships because of a complicated project at work, or you simply want to spend all your time with your new partner, a lack of a strong social circle can begin to take its toll on your mental health.
In fact, one Harvard study found that having a good friendship in your life could be enough to promote better brain health.
Signs that You’re Neglecting Your Friendships
You don’t necessarily need to see your friends every day to have a good relationship with them. We all have commitments in our lives that at times take priority over spending time at a local bar simply with pals. However, there are some signs to watch for that could indicate you’ve lost focus on what matters most.
You’re more stressed than usual
Did you know that your friends can genuinely help to improve your mental health? Friends help us deal with periods of stress and make better life choices. One study found that if you spend enough time with positive-thinking friends, you can change your outlook for the better.
You’re lonely
While good friends might not be the ultimate cure for loneliness, they’re a powerful way to make you feel less isolated in this huge universe. Spending time with friends—even if it’s justto catch up over a cup of freshly brewed coffee, makes you feel more connected to the world. In fact, spending more time with friends can make you a more down-to-earth and compassionate person.
You can’t remember the last time you saw your friends
Perhaps the most obvious sign that you’re not spending enough time with friendsis that you can’t remember the last time you saw them. If it’s been months or even years since you caught up with the people you used to see on a daily or weekly basis, then you might need to ask yourself what happened. While friendships can naturally fall apart over time, the ones that really matter should stay close to your heart for years to come.
Make time for your friendships
When you have countless things to worry about, like looking after your kids, making sure you have enough income to support your family, and searching for love, it can be easy to forget about the importance of friendships. The unfortunate truth is that we often take these relationships for granted, and don’t realize how important they are to our happiness until they’re already gone.
No matter what changes occur in your life, make sure that you’re ready to face them with a strong social circle by your side.
Raj Jana is the chief brewing officer and founder behind JavaPresse, a coffee company dedicated to delivering delicious flavors and wonderful experiences to people around the world. Raj founded his coffee company with the goal of creating a fun and innovative approach to coffee, that would help to bring people together, improve relationships, and preserve bonds.
Raj believes in the power of coffee, not just for its great flavor, but also its antioxidant and wellness benefits. After all, sitting down for a cup of coffee is a great excuse to catch up with friends, relax for a moment, or simply take a breather.
