Share the love this International Friendship Day
Make a note in your calendar for 30th July 2022. It’s International Friendship Day, and the perfect excuse to connect with those special people in your life.
What is International Friendship Day?
If this is the first time you’ve heard of it, don’t worry — the date was only given official status by the United Nations in 2011. But its origins go way back to the 1950s.
The idea’s simple: a day to honour and celebrate our friends, wherever they are in the world. New or old, past or present, it’s a chance to reach out and reconnect with the people who matter most.
Why are friends important?
This seems like an obvious one, but some of the answers may surprise you.
Research tells us that friendships are good for both our mental and physical health.
Strong social ties and a close network of friends can reduce feelings of loneliness, reduce stress and help us to feel more confident and fulfilled. These things help to improve our physical wellbeing, setting us up for longer, healthier, happier lives.
So if you find yourself thinking that you don’t need any more friends, it might be worth a second thought.
How to celebrate International Friendship Day
You could call an old schoolmate for a chat, or pop round to visit a neighbour. Or how about a coffee with a colleague, or lunch with a group of new friends?
If you’re stuck for ideas, give one of these a try:
Plan a BBQ
Make the most of the British summer while it lasts and invite your friends over for dinner outside. It’s a great way to get a group together, allowing you to catch up with multiple mates at the same time.
Book tickets to see something
A movie at the cinema, a show at the theatre or a gig at your local music venue. Doesn’t matter. Invite a friend and share the experience together.
Go for a walk
Or a bike ride, or any other activity you like. It’s the perfect way to get outdoors and spend quality time with the people you care about.
Meet new friends
Use International Friendship Day as your excuse to connect with new friends. Volunteer at a local charity or shelter, or book yourself on to a class or course. Your new best friend could be just around the corner.
Refer a friend to Zego
This one’s our favourite! If you’re already a Zego customer, you can refer a friend to join us and earn rewards worth up to £50, for both of you. And there’s no limit to how many friends you can bring on the journey — the more you refer, the more you earn.
Learn more about referring friends to Zego, or log into your account and get started