National Call a Friend Day

National Call a Friend Day

December 28th is National Call a Friend Day. Although National Call a Friend Day has a specific date, that does not mean that you have to wait until the 28th to reach out to others! Between the stress from the holidays, an ongoing pandemic, and a busy work or school schedule, it is easy for one to forget or delay phoning a friend. Staying in touch can be tough. National Call a Friend Day reminds us to take a few minutes to pick up the phone and call that friend you have been meaning to reconnect with. While we are constantly consumed by checking emails, responding to texts, surfing the web, and checking social media platforms, we can begin to feel less connected to those around us. Here are three National Call a Friend Activities that can help you stay connected to others:

1. Call a friend: The best way for you to get in touch with others is to actually pick up the phone and call that friend. You can phone one friend or go through your contacts and reconnect with people you have been meaning to contact. You can also reconnect with others via video chat or through any number of the apps that let you communicate voice to voice.
2. Get chatty with a wrong number: Everyone makes mistakes every now and then but on National Call a Friend Day, you have the opportunity to convert a wrong number into a friend you did not know you had. If you receive a phone call from a wrong number, take a moment and be friendly and make small talk. To be more adventurous, try dialing a wrong number on purpose and see if you can squeeze in a conversation with the person on the other end. You might just make someone’s day.
3. Hold a getting-in-touch party: Chances are, a few of your friends are friends with each other and at least one of your mutual friends lives somewhere outside comfortable visiting distance. Celebrate National Call a Friend Day in communal style by inviting a group of people to a party themed around getting back in touch with friends who could not make it in person. Dial up your mutual friends on speakerphone and have fun connecting as a group.

Shaunessey Jefferson

Mental Health Student Intern