BENEFITS OF PROPER COMPANIONSHIPS
Humans Are Hardwired for Connection We're social creatures, plain and simple. Scientific evidence shows our brains reward positive interactions and closeness with others. Ever wonder why you get warm fuzzies when spending time with loved ones? Neurochemicals like oxytocin (the "cuddle hormone") get released, contributing to trust, bonding, and overall well-being. On the flip side, a lack of companionship can be extremely detrimental. Loneliness poses greater risks than obesity and shouldn't be dismissed as just "being alone." Studies link it to increased inflammation, higher rates of chronic diseases, cognitive decline, and shorter lifespans. Yikes! So companionship
- whether platonic, romantic, familial, etc.
- is crucial for both physical and mental health. But what exactly are some key perks of having your "person" (or people) by your side? Let's explore;
Emotional Backup
Have you ever hit a rough patch and desperately needed to vent, cry on someone's shoulder, or gain a new perspective? A supportive companion can offer that vital emotional ballast when life's storms rage. Your closest friends and loved ones: - Listen without judgment - Validate your feelings - Provide reassurance and advice - Help you work through problems - Lift your spirits with laughter and positivity "I'll be there for you" isn't just a Friends theme song lyric - it represents real companionship. Humans thrive through both giving and receiving this level of care and empathy.
Accountability and Growth 
Loyal companions will also constructively call you out if you're demonstrating toxic traits or making unwise decisions. It's not always easy to receive that reality check, but true friends have your back.
Overall, the right companions nurture accountability in reaching goals and becoming our best selves. Expanded Perspectives Think about how limited your worldview would be if everyone around you came from identical backgrounds and environments.
Having companions from diverse cultures broadens horizons. Maybe your coworker from India teaches you about Diwali traditions. Your neighbor who's a refugee raises awareness about humanitarian crises. Or your cousin in a same-sex marriage shares what Pride means to them. With an open mind, you'll gain rich insights that can:
- Increase cultural intelligence
- Dispel stereotypes and prejudices.
- Spark curiosity about new subjects.
- Help you see different viewpoints.
- Make you a more empathetic person. This cross-pollination of perspectives expands our world
- a beautiful upside of companionship's reach.
Lasting Memories
What are your favorite memories? Chances are, they involve other people. From goofy inside jokes to epic adventures, companions create irreplaceable shared experiences. Those recountable moments become priceless ties binding us together across years and miles. Let's say you moved across the country, but still cherish that random night of laughter with your college roommates when all seemed right. Or maybe the greatest hits get rehashed during reunions with childhood besties - Comic Con misadventures, prom night shenanigans, that time you all got sick from bad shawarma. These memorable times with companions turn into hilarious anecdotes and nostalgia-inducing tales. They provide joy, connection to key life chapters, and reminders of how far you've come.
So next time you reminisce with loved ones, toast to being grateful for the epic memories companionship lets us create.
Loyal Backup
Beyond the belly laughs, loyal companions show up when you need them most. Their support through life's toughest challenges is invaluable. This could look like:
- Celebrating career wins with you
- Being a listening ear after heartbreak
- Sending meals when you're ill
- Babysitting in a pinch
- Helping to move or handle tasks while grieving Dependable companions have your back through every storm and valley no questions asked. Just knowing they're there means everything.
Self-Discovery
Ever had an "aha!" moment where someone's presence or wisdom helped you gain profound self-realization? Companions contribute hugely to our self-discovery over time. A few ways this happens:
- They see our blind spots and patterns
- Their input triggers personal epiphanies
- Observing them models positive (or negative) traits
- We discover new interests or sides of ourselves My best friend Ashley comes to mind. In high school, she challenged my self-critical voice
- a harsh wake-up about poor self-esteem. Observing her take bold risks motivated me to chase dreams I'd been suppressing. These types of "clicks" companionship sparks become major lighting rods for growth, self-acceptance, and figuring out who we truly want to be. What an awesome gift from our nearest and dearest! At the end of the day, humans simply weren't meant to go through this life disconnected. Companionship - whether forged through circumstance, chosen consciously, or somewhere in between - provides a richness and wholeness we'd be sorely incomplete without. So appreciate your companions, whoever they are. Not a single person can meet all our needs, but each bond adds beautiful color and depth to the mosaic of who we become. Nurture those connections! Because at our core, we all crave to love and be loved, understand and be understood. And companionship is what makes that soul-sustaining reality possible.
