International Friendship Day: Celebrating the Value of Friendship

The idea of International Friendship Day was first proposed in 1958 by a group of friends in Paraguay. Friendship is one of the most valuable and enduring human relationships. Celebrating this day on July 30 can include activities such as hosting friendly gatherings, sending affectionate messages, and participating in charitable activities. Friendship is also important on a global level, as it can help reduce tensions and foster solidarity among nations. Niko International Educational Complex extends its warmest wishes to all members of its community on this day and emphasizes the importance of strengthening friendly relationships.

International Friendship Day, celebrated annually on July 30, is an opportunity to celebrate the importance of friendship in people’s lives. Friendships can enhance physical and mental health, boost self-confidence, and reduce feelings of loneliness. For example, close friends can help reduce stress, increase lifespan, and even strengthen the immune system. Research shows that positive friendships can lower systolic blood pressure and heart rate during stressful situations. Additionally, serotonin, known as a neurotransmitter, increases during positive social interactions, improving mood and enhancing feelings of happiness (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2007).

Furthermore, high-quality friendships contribute to better emotional regulation and improved mental health (Demir & Urberg, 2004). In a world often filled with tension and challenges, friendship plays a crucial role in enhancing our quality of life. For instance, having stable and positive friendships can improve health and longevity. Friendship is also associated with increased levels of happiness-related hormones and reduced stress. Oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” is released during positive social interactions and friendly activities, helping to increase trust and reduce stress (Ajrouch et al., 2023).

The Importance of Friendship

Friendship is one of the most valuable and enduring human relationships. Friends are the people who stand by us, accompany us in hardships and joys, and accept us for who we are. Friendship can boost self-confidence, reduce feelings of loneliness, and enhance a sense of belonging. Moreover, friends can encourage us to achieve our goals and aspirations and support us in our journey of personal growth and development.

International Friendship Day: From Past to Present

The idea of International Friendship Day was first proposed in 1958 by a group of friends in Paraguay. This group suggested the day to promote friendship and mutual understanding among different nations. Then, in 2011, the United Nations officially recognized this day as International Friendship Day and encouraged all countries to celebrate it with various programs and activities.

Activities for International Friendship Day

To celebrate International Friendship Day, a variety of activities can be undertaken, including:

  • Hosting friendly gatherings
  • Sending affectionate messages to friends
  • Giving small gifts to friends
  • Participating in charitable activities with friends

Additionally, this day can be used as an opportunity to make new friendships and strengthen existing ones.

The Role of Friendship in International Communities

Friendship is important not only on an individual level but also globally. In a world marked by great cultural and linguistic diversity, friendship can help reduce tensions and foster solidarity among nations. By promoting friendship and mutual respect, we can help build a world full of peace and understanding.

Friendship in the Digital Age

In today’s world, technology and social media play a significant role in shaping and maintaining friendships. These tools provide people with the ability to connect quickly and easily with old and new friends, regardless of geographical distance. However, while these types of connections have their advantages, they also come with challenges that require careful attention and smart management.
These technological advances also present challenges. One of the most significant is the potential decrease in the depth and quality of friendships. Online interactions may lead to superficial and shallow relationships because they often lack face-to-face interactions and the expression of genuine emotions. Moreover, excessive reliance on social media can lead to social isolation, as individuals may spend more time on online interactions and neglect real-life, face-to-face relationships.
Furthermore, oversharing personal information and monitoring others’ activities can create feelings of competition, jealousy, or social anxiety. These issues, although seemingly minor at first glance, can gradually negatively impact mental health and the quality of friendships.

Friendship with Nikoo

Nikoo International Educational Complex wishes all students, teachers, and parents a happy International Friendship Day. We hope that we can all use this opportunity to strengthen our friendships and, by helping each other, build a better and more loving world. Let us remember that friendship not only beautifies our individual lives but also helps create stronger and more united communities.

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مشاهده

On this International Friendship Day, let us become more aware of the importance of this valuable relationship in our lives and, by appreciating our friends, experience a day full of joy and affection. Happy International Friendship Day!

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