International Friendship Day: Celebrate World Friendship Day on July 30th

Every year, the World Health Organization recognizes International Friendship Day on July 30th. Observing this day can be a way to expand one’s friendships across cultural boundaries and  celebrate the value of friendship in everyday life. Friendship can contribute significantly to a person’s health and well-being, with some studies even suggesting that it can reduce stress and anxiety and improve life satisfaction. Below, we’ll look at ways to celebrate, strengthen, or form friendships on International Friendship Day.

Facing friendship challenges?

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Why we celebrate International Friendship Day on the 30th of July

Although an observance called National Friendship Day started in the United States in 1935, in 2011, the United Nations General Assembly declared the 30th of July International Day of Friendship. The declaration was motivated by a desire to promote human solidarity and mutual understanding and involve young people in building bridges across various cultures. 

Celebrations on the first Sunday in August instead of the 30th of July

Despite the UN’s declaration, some countries celebrate World Friendship Day on another date. For example, India and the United States tend to observe this day on the first Sunday in August. Regardless of when exactly you may do so, there are plenty of ways to participate in the spirit of this celebration. 

How to celebrate International Friendship Day (World Friendship Day)

Organizations around the world can celebrate by planning activities that promote diversity and cross-cultural collaboration. On a personal level, individuals can also celebrate International Friendship Day by honoring the friends in their life and aiming to make new friends with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds throughout the international community. 

The potential benefits of friendship

Friendships can play a significant role in a person’s overall well-being. These types of connections can not only provide valuable support but also lead to a number of potential benefits for a person’s physical and mental health. 

Physical health benefits of friendship

While many people may be aware of how friendship benefits them emotionally, they may not be aware of the research demonstrating the potential benefits of friendship on physical health. For example, research suggests that individuals who experience social isolation may have a higher risk of mortality from various causes. Therefore, strong friendships may serve as a protective factor from disease. 

Mental health benefits of friendship

Research suggests that having close friends may also reduce the risk of anxiety and depression over a person’s lifespan. This relationship suggests that prioritizing meaningful connections with friends may increase a person’s overall well-being. Humans are social creatures wired for connection, which is likely why these types of social connections are so important for mental well-being.

Ways to build and nourish friendships

For those who may not feel strongly connected to friends, there are many different ways to potentially build or strengthen platonic connections—and International Friendship Day may be an ideal time to do this. The following are some strategies that may help expand a person’s friend circle and deepen connections with current and old friends.

Send a note of appreciation

One possible way to deepen your current friendships is to send a friend a thank-you note. While a text message might be appreciated, a physical note or card may be even more meaningful. This note doesn’t have to thank them for anything specific but might simply show appreciation for the person’s presence in your life.  

Incorporate regular check-ins into your routine

For many people, it can be easy to become busy with work and other responsibilities and forget to reach out to friends. It may help to use tools such as digital calendars or reminders to check in with friends at least once per month, for example. 

Reach out to new people

For some adults, it may feel challenging to make new connections. Making friends in adulthood often requires more deliberate action than it does during childhood and adolescence. One possible avenue for new contacts may be through local community groups, such as book clubs, recreational sports leagues, or groups for dog owners. In the spirit of International Friendship Day, you might focus on reaching out to groups that have a diverse array of people from different cultural backgrounds, which may enrich your cultural knowledge and expand your friend group. 

Another possible venue for finding new friends may be through local online groups. Some regional community groups may be centered on certain hobbies or local interests, such as environmental clean-up groups. While you might not be interested in exclusively online groups, sometimes virtual connections can turn into fulfilling real-life connections or may supplement in-person relationships. 

Facing friendship challenges?

Talk to a counselor

Getting support with friendships

If you’re looking for emotional or mental health support related to friendships, such as help with loneliness, social skills, friendship loss, or other topics, you might benefit from reaching out for support. A therapist can be a valuable source of support in such cases. They can act as a listening ear, help you build relationship skills, and suggest healthy coping mechanisms for difficult emotions and situations.

If you feel hesitant to meet with a mental health professional face to face, you might feel more comfortable with online therapy instead. With this format, you can connect with a licensed therapist from home via phone call, video call, and/or in-app messaging at times that suit your schedule. Research suggests that online therapy can often be as effective as in-person therapy for addressing a variety of mental health challenges.