There is nothing better than having a couch friend. You know, the kind of friend you can be your full, authentic self with. This is the friend that you probably immediately texted only when you heard about Tayvis -Engagement News. They don’t care how you look or if you have tonight’s mascara smeared on your face, and they definitely do not judge you for the remaining taco clock wrapped on your coffee table. (Probably because they were there eating a cheesy gordita -crunch with you in the first place.)
Sofa friends are the type that simply lets you exist in your natural state. You don’t have to be “on” with them, and there are no expectations or extra pressure when you hang out. Whether you want a little Gossip Or sit in complete silence on your phones, they are down for which vibe.
In a world where it becomes increasingly difficult to make friends as an adultSofa friends are the kind of people you don’t want to take for granted. “They offer an opportunity to charge – both mentally and emotionally – by providing a space where you do not have to worry about performing or meeting expectations,” says psychotherapist Attiya Awadallah. And as it turns out, having this kind of friendship in your life can actually be more important than you think.
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Attiya Awadallah is a psychotherapist and the owner of Lenora: Art therapy and counseling.
What is a couch friend?
As you can expect from its name, a couch friend is someone you can literally lie on the couch and do nothing with. You do not need to look presentable when you are with them and also do not have to force conversation. If something, your time with a couch friend should feel simple and natural, even without plans or an agenda.
“A couch friend is someone you can share space with in complete comfort, where there is no pressure to talk, maintain or be” on “, says Awadallah. When you are with them, you do not have to spend your time talking or doing any specific activity: sitting on the couch with each other simply is enough.
From a mental health perspective, it’s good for you to have a couch friend. “These friendships offer a safe space to just” be “, which can be extremely important for people who handle anxiety or handle the pressure in daily life,” says Awadallah.
Why sofa friends are so important
According to Awadallah, spend time with your couch friend signal to your body that it is safe to relax. “Couch friends help to activate the answer” rest and digest “in our nervous system, which directly counts the fight-or-aircraft that is triggered by stress,” she explains. This means that when you are around this person you can charge and lower your stress levels.
But at an even deeper level, sofa friends can help you feel safer and grounded in a world that often prioritizes productivity and constant interaction. Whether you identify yourself as an introvert or not, most people need to charge and BED When they feel overwhelmed from work, school or other stressful situations. But rotten with a couch friend, on the other hand, can help you feel less alone.
Unfortunately, not all your friends will be sofa friends – and that’s ok. Some friends are better for large group trips, while others will feel more comfortable with low -key hangs. To measure which of your friends can be a sofa friend, Awadallah recommends asking one to just hang. You can say something like “I just want to relax today. Want to hang out here?” If they are down you may have found yourself a sofa friend. But do not feel that you have to force it.
The thing about sofa friends is that it should feel easy. After all, sofa friends are a reminder that “human connection is not just about talking or doing – it is also about creating space to rest and feel understood without words,” says Awadallah. Although it may take time to find these unique friendship, they are out there. . . When they are not on the couch, that is.
Taylor Andrews is a balance editor on PS that specializes in subjects relating to sex, relationships, dating, sexual health, mental health and more.