Why Friendships Matter for Your Mental Health and Wellness

Sep 18

Two women sitting on a couch laughing together, symbolizing friendship and connection, reflecting wellness and support in Christian counseling in Chicago, IL. 60625 I 60630 I 60646

Picture this: it’s a Friday night, and you’re scrolling through your phone. Notifications buzz, group chats ping, but you pause…who could you really call right now if you needed someone to just be there?

That longing is something I often hear about in my work as a dance therapist offering Christian counseling in Chicago. The desire for meaningful connections is so real—and yet, reaching for it can feel harder than we expect.

And it makes sense. Safe, supportive friendships aren’t just a “nice to have.” They’re essential to our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Still, in the middle of work, family responsibilities, and endless to-do lists, friendships can quietly slip out of reach.

Wellness isn’t only about the physical body. It’s also about nurturing connection, belonging, and having people who remind us that life isn’t meant to be carried alone.

Supportive friendships and mental health

You may be thinking, That’s nice, but it would be easier if I had “my person.” If so, I want to pause and say—I hear you.

Our culture often elevates romance. Movies, music, and even family conversations send the message that romantic relationships matter most. While there’s nothing wrong with wanting a partner, this emphasis can leave friendships overlooked—even though they profoundly shape our sense of belonging.

Adulthood only adds to the challenge. Between commuting, parenting, and trying to keep up with everyday demands, friendships can drift. And in a big, ever-changing city like Chicago, it can feel nearly impossible to maintain steady connections.

Then there’s vulnerability—the heart of friendship and often the hardest part. To move beyond surface-level conversation, we have to risk being seen in our imperfections. That risk can feel scary.

But the rewards are powerful. Friendships lower stress, ease loneliness, and create a safe space where we feel seen, supported, and connected. Just like romantic bonds, friendships offer emotional validation and help us feel rooted in belonging.

How Can a Dance Therapist in Chicago Help Cultivate Your Friendships and Wellness?

The mind-body connection in therapy

Connection doesn’t just live in our minds or words. It lives in our bodies.

Our bodies hold clues about connection—like how laughter relaxes us or how listening deeply helps trust grow. Think about how your chest softens when someone really listens, or how laughter ripples through your whole body when a friend says something hilarious. That’s your nervous system saying, This is safe. Stay here.

As a dance therapist in Chicago, I help people tune into these embodied moments. Sometimes that means noticing the tension in your shoulders when you hold back what you really want to say. Other times, it’s practicing the pause, letting silence after a friend’s vulnerable share deepen trust instead of rushing to fill the space.

When we learn to listen to our bodies, we discover new ways of being present with others. Movement and embodied awareness can shift friendships from surface–level to something deeper–connections that feel alive, grounded, and nourishing.

How Can Christian Counseling in Chicago Support Your Friendships?

Friendship is one of God’s sweetest gifts. In Scripture, we see friends walking alongside one another in faith and in struggle, a reminder that we were created for community. Healthy friendships reflect God’s love, creating spaces for honesty, accountability, and encouragement.

But if you’ve ever felt pressure to “hold it all together” in a Christian community, you’re not alone. Vulnerability can sometimes be misunderstood as weakness or a lack of faith. That pressure makes it harder to admit when we’re struggling or to reach out for support.

Through Christian counseling in Chicago, I can help you untangle fears—whether they stem from judgment, disappointment, or rejection. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s an invitation to deeper trust, grace, and authentic connection. Together, we can explore how faith supports honesty in relationships, helping you experience bonds that feel stronger, safer, and more real.

God designed us for friendships rooted in love, grace, and truth. Christian counseling can help you show up authentically—emotionally and spiritually—so your relationships feel safe, joyful, and real.

Final Thoughts from a Dance Therapist in Chicago

Nurturing life-giving friendships can bring more joy, resilience, and a deeper sense of wellness into daily life.

Take a moment to reflect: Which friendships feel most nourishing right now? How might you invest in them more deeply?

If you’re longing for more meaningful connections, whether in friendship, family, or community, I’d love to support you. Together, we can explore how movement, faith, and the mind-body connection can help you build relationships that feel safe, joyful, and real.