restate the prompt using your own words.

Question

[1] For many of us, spending time with friends can be a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays.
For some, friendships have become more than social relationships: Friends are proxy families, and
they may be better than the real ones.
[2] Researchers have found that these personal connections may be more beneficial to one's health
and well-being than family relationships. And at a time when loneliness has become a public health
crisis with young adults saying they feel lonelier than older generations, studies show that investing
in friendships pays off. According to the Mayo Clinic, these bonds can help reduce stress, increase
happiness and bolster self-confidence.
[3] With hectic schedules, finding time to nurture these relationships can be challenging. But the
holidays provide an opportunity to renew these bonds, giving us a chance to deepen what
friendship expert Shasta Nelson calls Frientimacy: the intimacy between friends where both people
feel acknowledged in a safe and satisfying way.
[4] "Three requirements for healthy friendships are positivity, consistency and vulnerability," Nelson
said

Answer 1

Many people find that spending time with friends during the holiday season is a meaningful way to celebrate. For some, friendships have evolved into important relationships that can serve as substitutes for family, sometimes even surpassing their familial connections.

Research indicates that these personal ties may offer greater health and wellness benefits than traditional family relationships. As loneliness has reached a crisis level, particularly among young adults who report feeling more isolated than older generations, studies reveal that investing in friendships can be highly rewarding. The Mayo Clinic notes that such relationships can help lower stress, boost happiness, and enhance self-esteem.

Although managing busy schedules can make it difficult to cultivate these connections, the holiday season presents a perfect chance to strengthen them. This time allows us to enhance what friendship expert Shasta Nelson refers to as "Frientimacy," which is the closeness between friends where both individuals feel recognized and secure. Nelson emphasizes that three key elements for maintaining healthy friendships are positivity, consistency, and vulnerability.