Acts of Friendship

Book excerpt: Friends, make the most of your time together. A thousand Instagram likes don't equal the wellness boost of one friendly hug. In our fast-paced world of glamourized busyness, social media fixation and convenience without human contact, there's nothing like putting down our devices and turning to those few special people who fill our cups, light us up, and embolden us to be our best selves--that is, our closest women friends. Why not make the most of the precious time you have together and plan dates that will heal your body, nourish your spirit, and fuel your desire for personal growth? Acts of Friendship presents 47 activities for you and your friends to connect with each other and help one another change your lives in ways you never expected. Sometimes you need a friend to tell you that you're exceptional or to applaud you when you explore a hidden talent; sometimes only a friend can remind you to slow down or nudge you to expand your concept of who you are. From Take Your Cue (where you connect the dots to a better life) to A Friendly Q&A (where you learn everything you've ever wanted to know about your pals and yourself) to Let's Go Retro (where you time travel with your friends) and more, these meaningful, fun activities are meant to energize, inspire, and rejuvenate you so that, together, you grow. Quality relationships help us live stronger and longer, and the science backs this up. Authors and friends, Lynne Everatt, Deb Mangolt, and Julie Smethurst, looked to the research on what makes a happy, fulfilling life and designed the 47 Acts of Friendship accordingly. From giving to forgiving, being mindful to being active, finding joy to losing grudges, playing to journaling, gratitude to meditation, loving yourself to loving your friends, learning new things to learning new perspectives and new ways of life, these tested and true activities will generate laughter, inspiration, and expanded horizons. Try them out with your friends and experience the benefits of one of the world's greatest healers: connection.