How friendship affects your brain - Shannon Odell?

Friendship is like having a best friend who helps your brain grow stronger and happier.

When you have friends, it's like playing with someone who makes your brain work harder, just like when you play hide-and-seek, you're using your brain to find the right hiding spot. Your brain gets excited because you’re laughing and talking with your friend. This excitement helps your brain make more connections, kind of like building a bigger playground where you can run and play even better.

When your friends are happy, it makes you feel happy too. It's like when you eat your favorite snack, suddenly everything feels better! Your brain has special parts that light up with joy when you're around your friends. These parts help you remember things easier and stay calm when something goes wrong.

Just like eating healthy food helps your body grow, spending time with friends helps your brain grow too. Every time you talk or laugh with a friend, your brain is learning new ways to think and feel. It’s like getting a little extra snack for your brain, and the more friends you have, the bigger and stronger your brain gets!