Friendship Bracelets and the Wonders of Gift-Giving
This may seem odd, but I’ve been thinking a lot about friendship bracelets lately. It probably is because of the one and only Taylor Swift and her massively popular Eras Tour. Swifties make them to share at her concerts and in theaters with the release of her Eras Tour movie. I’ve also seen fans of other artists do the same at concerts this year.
To be transparent, I’ve been personally and positively impacted by these friendship bracelets! The idea behind friendship bracelets is to make and trade bracelets with others. Yet, I had a really cool experience this past summer at two different concerts—two people gave me friendship bracelets just because they wanted to. I didn’t make any or have one to trade, but they gladly gave them to me to keep with no expectation of getting one in return!
Getting these bracelets made me so happy! As I recall these interactions this summer, I am currently smiling ear-to-ear. I cherish these bracelets, and every time I see them and wear them, they make me happy (even as a full-grown adult woman).
The Mental Health Benefits of Friendship Bracelets, Really?
Yes, really. Now, I know bracelet-making may not be your cup of tea, and I get that. But it did get me thinking about gift-giving. Since the holiday season is officially here, let’s go over some of the mental health benefits of making, giving, and receiving friendship bracelets collected by a study performed by students at The University of Illinois Chicago.
Making and trading friendship bracelets showed the following benefits:
1. Improved Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence:
When you create something and finish it, it builds self-confidence. Also, you will view yourself more appreciatively when you create something to make another person happy, providing good for others.
2. Decreased Feelings of Depression:
As the creator, you are devoting time, effort, thought, and energy into making a bracelet, hoping it will bring joy to the one receiving it. Utilizing your time to create a sense of positivity decreases symptoms of depression. You are also looking forward to the future to give the bracelets away.
3. Useful Stress Management Practice:
Taking the time to clear your thoughts and focus on a small task (especially using your hands) for yourself or someone else can lower your heart rate, slow your breathing, and improve overall physical health related to stress.
4. Increase in Empathy:
Creating something for someone else—without being expected to do so and practicing compassionate thought—can help foster an understanding of others’ humanity and life circumstances.
5. Lowered Anxiety Levels:
Anxiety begins as a persistent negative/worrisome thought that turns into an anxious feeling or state. The actual making of friendship bracelets is a form of concentrative meditation. Activities like these naturally lower cortisol levels, the stress hormone.
Gift-Giving This Holiday Season
Now, how can we translate this into other gift-giving ideas this holiday season?
Yes, you could make friendship bracelets for your family and friends or for people you see in public to spread goodness. Yet, if friendship bracelets aren’t for you, what can you create that would bring goodness and happiness to others? Maybe you could make art, write poetry, bake a sweet treat, or make a meal for someone. You could make a collage of fun memories, a candle, or write cards with encouraging messages. The options are endless! What’s a way that would express who you are?
Let’s be intentional this holiday season (and maybe every season) about bringing goodness and kindness to others through something we create. Try to have the posture of giving without the expectation of getting anything in return. Pay attention to how you feel while creating and then giving.
Through this, I hope you’ll see how creating, giving, and receiving improves your mental health and overall well-being—as well as those around you.