WORLD FRIENDSHIP DAY
The Value Of Friendships
Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too. Friendships can be enduring and can outlast any relationships that are based on romance. Platonic relationships are as important as romantic ones and are just as important for our psychological wellbeing. If you feel that you haven't spent as much time with your friends as you'd like this Friendship day could be an opportunity to reconnect. We'd love to hear about your work friendships too. See below to find out how 🤍
Investment in Buddies pays Dividends
Good Friendships are beneficial to your wellbeing. And have even been proven to be good for your health. 'Having a close friend can decrease your risk of health problems like diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
Healthy Behaviours are encouraged by friends. Having a companion for that walk, game of footie or having that person that looks out for you when you over indulge is indispensable. It's much easier to tackle a new challenge or activity with a friend who can offer support and encouragement.
Friends help build self esteem. Good friends understand and know your struggles so are often your cheerleader when you feel nervous or are in doubt. Nervous about taking that next step or starting something new. Friends can help build your confidence providing that extra push that gets you over the finish line.
Feeling Emotional? Supportive friends can help during the down times in life. A friendly listening ear can help you through the many transitions in life which will include some difficult times. Friends are also great to share happy times with. Happiness, like laughter only doubles when shared with a friend.
Be the Best you can be with friends that have great values. Cultivating relationships with people who help others and give their time generously will encourage you to develop those values too!
Friendship - a key to happier living
Strengthen those connections
Friends can also increase your sense of belonging and purpose and relating is one of the 10 keys of happier living.
In order to live well and maintain your wellbeing there are some simple things that you can do to be proactive. Give yourself the best chance of being happy, healthy and connected. There are 10 keys in total, maybe focus on the 2 keys that link directly to friendship this friendship day. Remembering that friendship is two way is key. Both Relating to friends and Giving time to friends can enhance your life.
Celebrate your friendships with us
Let's use this Friendship day to celebrate those friendships that you've made throughout your life whilst at work, during study, through sport, during travel or closer to home.
We want to hear where you met your friends and would love for your to share your pal pics this friendship day. Keep a look out for how to share these photos as each business area will let you know how and when. 📸
Click the dropdown on the photo to find out more about some of your colleagues friendships.
Claire & Claudia
I met Claire at work nearly 28 years ago. And she has been there for me through the ups and downs of my life and has held my hand on many occasions. She is a continuing support and champion of mine. And is my go to when I want to take on a challenge. She has joined me on my adventures from hiking 26 miles in scorching heat for Macmillan to jumping out of a plane for LOROS. We have shared many tears of both sadness and hysterical joy.
Nat & Emily
This is me and my friend Emily (Hargrave) we have been friends since we were 3 years old, 28 years later still going strong! We have celebrated every milestone in each other’s lives with the most recent being Emily’s beautiful baby girl Dottie being added to the girl gang. Love you long time
Lynne & Anna
My friend Lynne was one of the first people I met when I first joined Next 12 years ago and we’ve been firm friends ever since, through the good and not so good times but always putting the world to rights. Our love of live music, sporting events and celebrity spotting has meant we have had lots of laughs and fun along the way… here’s to plenty more memories to come.
Loren & Danique
Danique and I have been friends for 10 years, from the first week I started working in the Nursery. Apparently, my Dr Who phone cover got her wanting to chat to me! From there we have gone through all of our lives ups and downs together. This photo show us at Danique’s wedding where she asked me to be bridesmaid. I sadly had to leave the Nursery 3 years ago when my lifelong Liver disease meant I just could not keep up the immense energy needed for the Nursery job. I moved to Directory and now Business Systems and I am excited to say our friendship can keep flourishing as I had a new liver donated in June. So far I am improving every day with the laughter and support from Danique. It’s onwards and upwards from here. Thanks for the laughs Danique, love from Loren.