8 Minutes
A reel on Instagram that caught my eye was some scrapbook art. It stated one simple concept: "8 minutes" A human can make a world of difference in just 8 minutes. If a friend is having a tough day (sad, overwhelmed or anxious) they just need 8 minutes from you.
This video made me reflect. I remembered how I used to immediately call one of my friends whenever I felt sad or anxious. Those calls commonly exceeded 8 minutes, going as long as an hour. However, it was while taking those calls that I experienced the burden being lifted from me. It is these moments that forge our relationships.
The Power of 8 Minutes
A mere 8 minutes; Research indicates that even a short engagement with someone who has our well-being at heart can make an enormous difference in how we feel about ourselves. In those 8 minutes, we can:
Talk: Getting what is on our mind, off of it.
Acknowledge the Connection Method: Remind yourself that someone is there to support you and prevent feelings of void or isolation.
Look at it This Way: Our friends can often provide the right words that we need to hear, and in return offer us with a view of our same problem or an alternative way.
Lift Our Spirits: kind words, or a friendly voice can create the beginning of positive emotion in us.
Beyond The 8 Minutes
Usually, such introductions precede more protracted discussions, even though they are meant to be no more than 8 minutes each. These long extended talks not only give further reassurance but make us even closer. HE laughs, SHE cries, both tell stories and in doing this, they create a much thicker cloth of friendship.
This is a great example, because in today’s busy world, being able to spend 8 minutes focusing solely on the needs or wants of another person is invaluable. This serves as a reassurance that they are wanted, that their emotions are worth considering and that they do not have to be lonely. Mental Well-being is important.
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