“No friendship is an accident.” – O. Henry
Friendships are one of the best parts of life. Having companions to join you through life’s journey, milestones, triumphs and failures makes everything easier, better, and more fun.
National Friendship Day, occurring on the first Sunday in August every year since 1919, is the perfect holiday to improve your life by celebrating important connections. Originally a commercial idea proposed by Hallmark, U.S. Congress made it official in 1935 as the idea gained popularity.
It’s scientifically proven that having meaningful friendships will keep you healthier and happier, for longer. Psychological research has shown that maintaining social connections is one of the most reliable predictors for longevity and long term happiness. Strong friendships reduce stress, reduce burnout, and even help you heal from childhood trauma.
Despite the proven importance of friendship, Americans are getting lonelier, especially in the post-pandemic world and as more and more of our lives are online. We are working longer hours, moving more frequently, and spending less time in group settings outside of work.
It’s all too easy to lose touch with the people you used to be close to. Perhaps you’re busy with work, maybe they moved away, maybe they had kids or got really into a new hobby you don’t share.
Celebrate National Friendship Day this year by reconnecting with those people in your life you miss and haven’t heard from in a while. Schedule a quick phone call, meet up, or even send some snail mail to say “Hi! Happy Friendship Day! I miss you!” If they live far away, virtual hangs can be a delightful way to catch up, using video call software, game platforms like JackBox, or through online shared crossword puzzles. Modern social media provides tons of different ways to maintain connection with minimal effort, and even something small can be meaningful.
Don’t forget to celebrate the friends you do see, they deserve love too! Send a text, make them a homemade present, or schedule a dinner to catch up and toast to the time you’ve been friends. True friends are too rare and too precious to ignore on a special day like this.
National Friendship Day is also the perfect excuse to start planning an adventure with the people who mean the most to you. Reconnecting with friends doesn’t have to stop at a phone call—consider organizing a weekend getaway, road trip, or even an overseas journey to a destination you’ve always talked about visiting together. Traveling with friends creates shared memories, strengthens bonds, and allows you to experience new places through each other’s perspectives. Whether it’s a wine-tasting trip, a beach escape, or exploring a new city, use this holiday as inspiration to reach out, make plans, and turn your friendship into an unforgettable travel experience.
This special holiday serves a sweet reminder to treasure the relationships that enrich our lives, and to take action to preserve and reignite the amazing friendships in our lives.