Woman explains why everyone needs a 'couch friend' — and she totally has a point

Different friendships might occupy different parts of a person's life. There might be a friend you could have deep conversations with, one who would be up for any fun activity, or a person who shares your interests. However, a woman believes that it is very important for a person to have couch friends. The woman, Megan Sherer, goes by @healwithmegs on TikTok. She explained what a couch friend is and why they are important to a person. Sherer believes that they can change a person's life.

The woman revealed that every person should have a couple of really solid couch friends. "Couch friends are the ones who show up at your house and you show up at theirs and you can just sit on the couch and do nothing or anything together." Sherer explained that these people are such friends who don't need any planned activity to get together. "Like we are gonna meet for coffee at this time and go on a walk or we're gonna take this class together or we are going to work out together or like go to the movies." One can sit in silence with such friends and feel connected. "Couch friends are the ones whose nervous systems feel safe for us to co-regulate with and vice versa."

However, it doesn't mean that one would not have to put in effort in such a friendship. "It's not that we don't put effort into our couch friend friendships, it's that there's an ease in the effort." Sherer added, "Like you know that these are the people who are in it with you for the long haul." People have each other's back in such friendships, as per the woman. "You have both admitted to the longevity of this friendship. When we have those kinds of people in close proximity to us and I mean walking distance or driving distance, like you can see them regularly, it has a massive impact on your overall quality of life and mental health." The video received more than 1.2 million views and over 100k likes.

People took to the comments section of the video to share their own experiences. @elliehanus609 wrote, "I’ve thought about this and would 100% like to have more of these friends, but it’s an intimacy that’s hard to find. All of my couch friends are long-distance." @candy_wilkins commented, "My couch friend and neighbor passed away unexpectedly on 1/1/25. Please take pictures of those moments. You’ll be in PJs and messy, but you’ll want those memories captured one day." @kellynutty remarked, "Yes! I have porch friends. We text each other 'porch time?' And we walk to that person’s house with whatever beverage works."

@k8reader shared, "As I get older, I grow to appreciate couch friends more and more. No need to fill the silence, just content in each other’s company." @cporth7 expressed, "My ultimate couch friend is my long-distance best friend. When we get together it’s just so magical I miss her so much and would do anything for her to be closer again!" @frannn.exe said, "I had a friend whose every hangout or phone call would have to be planned and timed to a T, and I found it so stressful only having this little timeslot with her to fit into. That friendship was missing the freedom to just be together in such a way like you’ve said. Unable to fully feel relaxed hanging out on a deadline, and not feeling like I could come to see her at the drop of a hat."

You can follow Megan Sherer (@healwithmegs) on TikTok for more lifestyle content.