Caring Connections - What is friendship anxiety?

• Nationwide Google searches for ‘friendship anxiety’ have skyrocketed 1,350% this week as a result of TikTok creators sharing their concerns 
• Combatting anxieties around social connections is key - especially for new college students - to avoid a negative impact on day-to-day life
• Wellness and crystal expert Brett Larkin explains the trending term and provides tips on how to stop second-guessing your relationships
• He also recommends crystals that can help alleviate anxiety and promote secure friendships  - including amethyst, citrine, and rose quartz 

 

New data reveals that nationwide searches around ‘friendship anxiety’ have risen by 1,350% this week, while views for TikTok videos tagged #friendshipanxiety are also up 113%.

 

The uptick in searches - identified by TinyRituals via Google Trends and TikTok Creative Center - comes a month after the start of the academic year and may be causing some college and school students to feel insecure about the strength of their new friendships.

 

The TikTok data does suggest it’s this demographic that is consuming videos around the new trend, as the majority (83%) of people watching videos tagged #friendshipanxiety are aged 18-24, while just over 1 in 10 viewers (12%) are aged 25-34. 

 

 

This rise in interest isn’t an isolated incident, as the search data also shows that searches for ‘friendship anxiety news’ are up 3,550%, while ‘friendship recession’ has risen by 1,650% 

 

The findings show that some states are more concerned about the trend than others, with most Google searches coming from Maryland, followed by Massachusetts and Oregon.

 

The top ten states most concerned about friendship anxiety

 

	State	Search Score (out of 100)		State	Search Score (out of 100)
1	Maryland	100 /100	6	California	90 /100
2	Massachusetts	97 /100	7	Colorado	90 /100
3	Oregon	95 /100	8	Wisconsin	89 /100
4	Pennsylvania	94 /100	9	New York	82 /100
5	Ohio	90 /100	10	New Jersey	77 /100

 

But what is ‘friendship anxiety’? Brett Larkin, TinyRituals’ wellness and crystal expert, says, "This anxiety occurs when you begin to doubt the strength of your friendship or start questioning the motives behind your bond. This may include thinking your friends only include you in plans for appearance's sake instead of simply wanting to see you or fearing that they secretly dislike you and are talking badly about you behind your back.

 

“It can start to creep in after the initial excitement of making new friends has worn off - college students make a lot of new friends during orientation week, but as time goes on and you settle into your new routine, you may find yourself wondering how much you really have in common with your peers - which over time can cause friendship anxiety.

 

“You may also be experiencing rejection anxiety regarding your old friendships, particularly if you’ve moved away from home for college. However, addressing this anxiety as early as possible is important to prevent a knock-on effect on how you socialize in the future. 

 

“If you start to doubt your current friendships, you’ll be less likely to want to form new ones moving forward. You may also notice your college work start to slip, as you’re too busy worrying about the people around you in social situations like lectures and seminars to focus on your work.”

 

But there are some ways you can help reduce this form of social anxiety and improve the outlook on your friendships, including: 

• Make your dorm room a safe space. Having a secure space to return to after being in an anxiety-inducing situation is key to helping you challenge negative thoughts. Decorate your dorm room with things that remind you of the strength of your friendships - like concert tickets, photos, gifts - and ensure your decor is calming. Invest in anxiety-reducing crystals to promote a soothing atmosphere.
• Practice your social skills. Exposure is often the best cure for irrational anxieties, so try not to isolate yourself from your friends unless you feel you’re best doing so. Attending events and practicing social skills can boost your confidence when navigating group situations, so you should practice active listening, assertiveness, and conversation skills. You may also want to join a new society or club to meet new like-minded people and expand your social circle.
• Practice self-compassion and kindness. Be kind to yourself when navigating anxiety, and understand that it’s okay to make mistakes and feel overwhelmed. Remind yourself that you have a strong support network and set realistic goals for improvement - even if that’s just to attend one social event a week or to have one positive conversation with your friends. 

To help promote an anxiety-reducing atmosphere at home, consider incorporating crystals known for their calming qualities and those that promote healthy and happy relationships. 

 

Brett says: “Crystals offer a transformative remedy against social anxiety and burnout, infusing spaces with calming energies that promote focus, positivity, and resilience. Some crystals are better suited to combatting friendship anxiety than others and can help you feel less alone when challenging your negative thoughts.” He recommends: 

1. Amethyst. Known for its soothing properties, amethyst can reduce stress and anxiety, and promote emotional balance to help you maintain peaceful relationships.
2. Citrine. Citrine is associated with joy and positive energy and is also believed to promote a harmonious sense of well-being, helping you feel more secure in yourself.
3. Rose quartz. Although typically associated with romantic relationships, rose quartz promotes unconditional love, which can help cultivate strong platonic connections.
4. Rhodonite. Also known as the ‘rescue stone,’ rhodonite promotes forgiveness, empathy, and understanding - and encourages emotional healing.
5. Moonstone. Moonstone is associated with emotional understanding and healing, particularly in relationships, meaning it also helps to promote deeper bonds. 

 

Data is gathered from Google Trends and TikTok: Creative Center. Screenshots included below. 

 

Postz courtesy of tinyrituals.co.

 

 Journo Research operates as tinyrituals.co’s Digital PR agency.