National Best Friends Day: Flourish Together with the Five Pillars of #ChooseHealth
- Kayla Myers
- Jun 8
- 3 min read
Hello Operation Flourish Fam!
They say friends are the family we choose, and every year on June 8th, we have a fun excuse to celebrate those special people in our lives during National Best Friends Day! Whether it's a childhood buddy, a sibling, a spouse, a neighbor, or someone you've met later in life, friendships have an incredible impact on our health and happiness.
Research consistently shows that strong social connections can reduce stress, improve mental health, encourage healthy habits, and even help us live longer. At Operation Flourish, we know that flourishing isn't something we have to do alone. In fact, one of the best ways to #ChooseHealth is by inviting a friend along for the journey.
This National Best Friends Day, I challenge you to celebrate friendship while investing in the five pillars of #ChooseHealth: joyful movement, balanced nutrition, restorative sleep, mindful mental health, and avoiding risk behaviors.
No matter your age, there's a way to flourish together!
Young Children (Ages 4-10)
Joyful Movement
Go on a playground adventure, play tag, or create a backyard obstacle course.
Balanced Nutrition
Make fruit kabobs or decorate healthy yogurt parfaits together.
Restorative Sleep
Host a cozy story time or create matching bedtime routines with stuffed animals.
Mindful Mental Health
Draw pictures of what makes you happy and tell your friend one thing you appreciate about them.
Avoiding Risk Behaviors
Practice "safe friend" scenarios, like wearing helmets, crossing the street safely, and asking trusted adults for help.
Teens (Ages 11-17)
Joyful Movement
Take a walk, dance to your favorite playlist, or challenge each other to a fitness activity.
Balanced Nutrition
Cook a healthy meal or smoothie together and try a new recipe.
Restorative Sleep
Encourage one another to unplug from devices and aim for a healthy bedtime.
Mindful Mental Health
Have a phone-free coffee date or picnic where you check in with each other honestly.
Avoiding Risk Behaviors
Be accountability partners who encourage healthy choices and remind each other that it's okay to say no to peer pressure.
Young Adults (Ages 18-35)
Joyful Movement
Sign up for a charity 5K, attend a fitness class, or explore a local hiking trail.
Balanced Nutrition
Meal prep together or host a healthy brunch.
Restorative Sleep
Start a challenge to improve sleep habits and limit late-night scrolling.
Mindful Mental Health
Write gratitude letters to one another or schedule regular mental health check-ins.
Avoiding Risk Behaviors
Support each other's goals by choosing activities that don't revolve around unhealthy habits and by encouraging safe choices.
Mature Adults (Ages 36-64)
Joyful Movement
Take a neighborhood walk, join a recreational sports league, or garden together.
Balanced Nutrition
Swap healthy recipes and host a nutritious potluck dinner.
Restorative Sleep
Create relaxing evening traditions, like herbal tea chats or reading the same book.
Mindful Mental Health
Volunteer together or simply enjoy meaningful conversations over coffee.
Avoiding Risk Behaviors
Encourage preventive healthcare visits, stress management, and healthy coping strategies.
Senior Citizens (65+)
Joyful Movement
Take gentle walks, participate in chair yoga, or dance to favorite songs from years gone by.
Balanced Nutrition
Cook family recipes with healthy twists or enjoy a nutritious lunch together.
Restorative Sleep
Develop calming evening routines and share stories that bring comfort and joy.
Mindful Mental Health
Look through old photo albums, play games, or volunteer in the community together.
Avoiding Risk Behaviors
Check in on one another, encourage medication safety, attend appointments if needed, and help reduce loneliness through regular connection.
The Greatest Gift of Friendship
When I think about the people who have supported me throughout my journey in the Miss America Opportunity, I realize they have helped me flourish in countless ways. They've celebrated victories, offered encouragement during setbacks, and reminded me that health isn't about perfection; it's about progress and community.
Friendship itself is one of the greatest protective factors for our well-being. A text message, a walk around the block, a shared meal, or a simple conversation can make a tremendous difference in someone's day.
This National Best Friends Day, don't worry about finding the perfect gift. Give your best friend something even more meaningful: your time, your presence, and an invitation to flourish together.
Choose laughter.
Choose connection.
Choose kindness.
Choose health.
And remember, life is always a little brighter when we have a friend walking beside us.
Cheerfully yours,
Kayla Myers
#NationalBestFriendsDay #BestFriendsDay #Friendship #ChooseHealth #OperationFlourish #MissIndiana #MissAmerica #MentalHealthMatters #HealthyHabits #WellnessJourney #JoyfulMovement #BalancedNutrition #RestorativeSleep #MindfulMentalHealth #HealthyLiving #CommunityWellness #FlourishTogether
P.S.
National Best Friends Day only comes around once a year, but friendship deserves to be celebrated every day.
Reach out to someone who has made a difference in your life and invite them to complete one #ChooseHealth activity with you this week.
Tag Operation Flourish and share how you and your best friend are flourishing together.
I can't wait to see your stories!
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