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What is a healthy friendship for you? Add your comment.

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Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash

I was sitting in a café with my close friend, chatting about something fairly unimportant (a TV show, most likely). As we were sipping our drinks and talking, I felt this warmth spread in my chest. I looked at my friend and smiled.

That's when it struck me: I treasure our friendship so, so much.

I've read so many articles on how to recognize a toxic friendship, an unhealthy relationship, a bad influence on your life. But as I was looking at my friend, I had this sudden desire to shout into the skies how perfect this thing we have is.

We look for flaws and negativity all the time. We're used to searching for defects. But it's good from time to time to appreciate what we have and remind ourselves of the love we share with others.

I've been through some less-than-ideal friendships. I became amazing at recognizing those for what they were. But I think now it's time to get better at understanding the good and pure things in my life.

Here are 5 signs of a healthy friendship:

This friend and I talk a lot. When we meet up for coffee, we can spend five hours there just talking. Usually, we only leave because the café is closing.

We discuss our lives, thoughts, dreams, aspirations. We can spend an entire evening dissecting a seemingly insignificant thing that's happened to one of us.

And we are never bored.

Once she started telling me this story about her family holiday. Not the most riveting of topics, is it? She talked about what she did, what her family members did. She started describing conversation she had with someone.

As we are both very scatter-brained, one thing or another distracted her, and the conversation wandered into something completely different. Yet, I kept it in my mind that she hadn't finished her original story. And after we went through about three other topics, I went back. I asked her to finish the story.

I didn't do this because I knew it was important to her that she tell it. Well, at least not only because of that. I was genuinely interested. I knew this conversation led to a realization of something important to her, and I wanted to know what that was. Something that would seem boring to others became intriguing to me.

After all, it concerned my friend. I want to know everything she deems important enough to tell me.

This goes both ways. I know she's the one person I can tell my dreams to without her becoming too annoyed. And that's a sign of a healthy friendship if I've ever seen one. Everyone knows no one really cares about what you dreamed about last night.

Not everything you like will be appreciated in the same way by your friends.

In high school, my friend used to watch a lot of anime. Something which, while I can enjoy it occasionally, is definitely not my hobby. She wanted to talk about it a lot. It impacted her life. She almost breathed anime.

I didn't care all that much. I never watched the shows, and it meant nothing to me. Except it meant something to her. So even when I was disinterested in the shows, I still listened to what she had to say.

And not only that - I asked questions, I remembered details. I knew this was important to her. And while I couldn't share her passion for it, I could share something - my time, and my attention.

She does the same for me - I once had a four-hour-long monologue about Doctor Who, and she sat through it all. She listened and laughed and nodded and asked.

We actually ended up watching the show together, which is something I still can't quite believe. I felt lucky enough that she was willing to listen. I never expected her to start watching it, too. It's not like the show is something she would usually be into.

I've had many friends who would turn off the moment I started talking about something they didn't care about. I myself have done the same. But having a friend who takes the time to not only listen, but hear what you're saying, is the best feeling in the world.

When I finished my Doctor Who rant, I thought she would be annoyed. Then she wasn't. I was elated. People can say thousands of lovely words and give you nice presents, but in my book, nothing is as precious as the feeling of being listened to.

I am an introvert, and I suffer from social anxiety. Which means I have a lot of weird boundaries that people don't always get.

My friend is great at recognizing those. But not only that. She remembers them and respects them. She never crosses the line, and she always understands.

Like everyone, I often get worried about how I might come across if I voice my limits. Will people be offended if I tell them I don't want to hang out right now? Will they think I don't like or appreciate them enough?

My friend never does this. She understands what I need, sometimes almost instinctively. If I tell her I don't want to hang out, she gets it. She leaves me alone and gives me all the space I need.

I used to think being close friends meant you could ask for anything. Say anything, do anything. There were no boundaries, no limits. Beng friends meant you are an exception to someone's limits. That's what closeness meant to me. But I was wrong.

Strangers cross your boundaries often - naturally, as they know nothing about you. But the more you know someone, the more you understand them. Being close to someone doesn't mean that you are exempt from the rules. It should mean that you know the rules by heart, and it causes you no problem to stick by them.

My best friend never expects me to do something I'm not comfortable with, and I do the same for her. We respect each other. She knows to give me space to breathe; I know not to push her to do things faster. We're in perfect harmony. Because of the utmost respect we have for each other, we never cross the line. We wouldn't ever want to do that to the other person.

One time, the two of us were going to meet up with a bunch of friends. I was looking forward to this. Except that there was a person in this group who I wasn't too happy about seeing. We shared a complicated history. I worried he was going to invade my space and make me feel uncomfortable.

I told this to my friend, to relieve myself of the stress. Then we went in to meet up with everyone.

Sure enough, a few hours in, this person took his chance and sat close to me. He started telling me all sorts of things that made me feel icky. When I expressed my discomfort, he flat out ignored it. My friend was in the bathroom. I felt trapped.

But as soon as she came back and saw what was happening, she stepped in. She didn't hesitate and sat right between me and this person and distracted him from whatever he was telling me.

I didn't ask her to do this, and I didn't expect it either. But she saw I was struggling, and she didn't hesitate to help. She was looking out for me when I needed it.

We do this all the time. If we are in a situation and I can tell she's feeling uncomfortable, I'll try to take the reins. I'll talk to the chatty lady at the airport. I'll offer to write a difficult email to our landlord. We are a team, and that's what we do. I always feel safe when she's with me - I know she would never leave me to the wolves.

When I think about what my life looks like and all the nice things about it, she plays a big part in that.

Because of this friend, I have become better at dealing with people.

I have become more confident in my own skin.

I am more comfortable asking for what I want.

I say 'no' more frequently.

I know that through our friendship, she has become more willing to talk about her feelings. We make each other's lives better. I can't imagine where I would be if we never became friends.

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I was sitting in a café with my close friend, chatting about something fairly unimportant (a TV show, most likely). As we were sipping our drinks and talking, I felt this warmth spread in my chest. I looked at my friend and smiled. That's when it struck me: I treasure our friendship so, so much.

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What do you use to do to relief stress? 

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What do you use to do to relief stress? 

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If you're feeling overwhelmed by a stressful situation, try taking a break and listening to relaxing music. Playing calm music has a positive effect on the brain and body, can lower blood pressure, and reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.

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Read the 7 benefits of traveling. Do you agree with all of these points? Would you add any other?

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As I write this, the world is in the midst of the second wave of the coronavirus crisis. Travel is far below the level it was at back in 2019, and it'll be some time before it picks back up to pre-pandemic levels.

So, it feels a bit weird to write an article on the benefits of traveling and why travel is important.

But, travel will make a comeback. When it does, health and safety risks will remain. Many fair-weather travelers may be hesitant to return to the skies, roads, rails, and seas.

However, traveling is important and its benefits far outweigh the risks involved.

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Here are some of the most important benefits of traveling:
1. Travel Makes You Happier

Sure, a travel experience easily makes you happier by getting you away from your daily grind. And, if you can get away from your parents, kids, freelance work, pets, homework, piano lessons, part-time job, studying for exams or any other things possibly weighing you down, that will definitely put a smile on your face, to say the least.

However, travel makes you happier in another way, as well. According to a study by Amit Kumar, Matthew A. Killingsworth, and Thomas Gilovich from Cornell University, that money spent on doing something (called "experiential purchases") will leave you with a longer-lasting sense of happiness than money spent on having something (called "material purchases").

The study says that "waiting for experiences tends to be more positive than waiting for possessions." And, it goes on to say that "people derive more happiness from the anticipation of experiential purchases and that waiting for an experience tends to be more pleasurable and exciting than waiting to receive a material good."

Related Read: The Best Work-Life Balance Quotes to Know

2. Travel Lets You Disconnect & Recharge

One of the best things you can do for your mental health every now and again, especially as a busy college student with an evening job or a young professional working 12-hour shifts, is to disconnect in order to recharge.

Working or studying for days, weeks, and months on end may help get you where you're looking to go. However, you deserve a break every once in a while from the chronic stress. If not, you may suffer from burnout, depression, anxiety, and a whole host of other problems and ailments.

If traveling to a foreign country or experiencing a different culture doesn't sound like a true break from everyday life and its stressful situations, stay local or do a solo trip to someplace remote and serene. The important thing for your is to unwind. That's a health benefit and travel tip all rolled into one!

3. Traveling Relieves Stress and Anxiety

In a randomized controlled trial conducted by Austrian researchers and published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, one of the many great travel benefits is that it can reduce stress levels and anxiety.

The researchers found that even just one short-term vacation (~3 days in length) "independent of the mode, has large, positive and immediate effects on perceived stress, recovery, strain, and well-being." Furthermore, the beneficial effects last quite a while after you return home. "The effects can still be detected at 30 days (recovery) and 45 days (well-being and strain) post-vacation."

Just make sure the way you travel doesn't cause you stress, either! If you have a fear of air travel or a disdain for family travel, go by rail or take a solo travel experience. The important thing is to break away from the chronic stress of everyday life in order to calm down and reset your mind.

Related Read: How to Set Goals You Will Actually Achieve

4. Travel Exposes You to New Things

When you travel, you are stepping outside your comfort zone, for one thing. Even if your destination is relatively nearby (across the country rather than internationally), you are still experiencing new things.

Mark Twain said it best in one of my favorite travel quotes:

"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

5. Travel Exposes Others to New Things

When you meet someone new, whether it's in another town nearby or in a city halfway around the world, they also are meeting you. And, just as you're being exposed to new foods, culture, languages, traditions, and so forth, they're also getting a taste of yours. Just remember to be a good ambassador for your hometown, values, and beliefs!

When you visit a new place, meet new people, and learn about a new culture, whether through group travel or when traveling solo, the benefit to your life is immense, but it also benefits your friends, family, and other loved ones. Not only will you get to experience new things, but you'll also bring what you learn back to your school, workplace, and hometown.

Related Read: 15+ Best Educational Podcasts to Listen to for Everyday Learning

6. Travel Makes You Physically Healthier

If you're an active individual and asking why is travel important, there are some great benefits of traveling in store for you! From running through airports and train stations to make that tight connection to hiking through uneven terrain on your mountain climbing adventures to getting some vitamin D as you catch some rays on the beach, there are many reasons why travel is beneficial to your health.

According to a study by the Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, in partnership with the U.S. Travel Association, travel decreases the risks of heart attacks and makes your brain healthier. The study determined that men who take an annual vacation are 30% less likely to die from heart disease, among other findings.

7. Traveling Can Boost Your Creativity

Are you a student, artist, writer, photographer, chef, advertising manager, or video game designer struggling with coming up with your next great idea? Traveling can help! If you're looking to reignite your creativity, head on to Kayak and start booking some international flight tickets.

"Foreign experiences increase both cognitive flexibility and depth and integrativeness of thought, the ability to make deep connections between disparate forms," Adam Galinsky, a professor at Columbia Business School, tells The Atlantic. Cognitive flexibility plays a major role in overall creativity, defined as the ability for a person to be able to entertain various ideas and viewpoints one after the other.

So, when it's safe to do so, get back out there and travel.

You'll improve your happiness and mood, get exposed to new things, strengthen your mind and body, remove stress and anxiety, and so much more!

Got any questions, feedback, or other great reasons why travel is important? Let us know in the comments below, and thanks for reading!

Related Read: 21+ Growth Mindset Quotes to Know for Success, Happiness & Fulfillment

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Why is Travel Important? Here Are 7 Important Benefits of Traveling

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Wondering why travel is an important part of life? Here are the most impactful benefits of traveling, including health, happiness, and more!

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Ideas to the Saint John day in pandemic.

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Ideas to the Saint John day in pandemic.

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What do you intend to do or what is it possible to do in this situation?

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Make comments on the news below.

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Ao menos dez cidades baianas cancelam o São João em 2021 - Metro 1

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Ao menos dez cidades baianas cancelam o São João em 2021 - Metro 1

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Realização dos festejos é tida como "pouco provável" pelo governo do estado