You already know the components of a healthy, happy lifestyle: Making smart food choices, getting plenty of rest, reducing stress, and\u00a0being more active. But there\u2019s one other thing you might consider adding to that good-for-you list: meaningful friendships.<\/p>\n
Sure, our pals make life more fun, but the benefits of friendship go far beyond the good times. Multiple studies have shown that strong social ties not only lift your spirits, they can also help boost your immune system, protect your memory, and could even add years to your life. OK, so maybe you didn\u2019t need a scientist to underline the value of a good friend, but if you\u2019re like us, you\u2019ve found it\u2019s sometimes difficult to make new friends as an adult. Here are a few ways to help, plus a tip or two that might strengthen your current friendships.<\/p>\n
Learn to enjoy your own company. <\/b>Spending time alone may seem counterintuitive when you\u2019re trying to meet new people, but putting yourself in places where it\u2019s easy to strike up a conversation with a stranger can open the door to a new connection. Sure it might feel a bit awkward at first, but try grabbing dinner alone at the bar of your favorite restaurant, or sit with a cup of joe at your neighborhood coffee shop. Chances are others will be dining solo too, and they\u2019ll be more than happy to chat. Who knows, you could be sitting next to your new best friend.<\/p>\n
Envision the type of friends you want to have. <\/b>Want to hang with somebody who\u2019s into fitness? Sign up for yoga class and introduce yourself to the person next to you while you\u2019re setting up your mats. Looking to find a pal who shares your ambition? Join a local professional association that hosts mixers for new members. Whatever kind of friendship you\u2019re seeking, the key is to think about what qualities or common interest your ideal friends would have to help you zero in on the best matches.<\/p>\n
Draw from your current contacts. <\/b>If you\u2019re moving to a new area, a good way to meet local friends is to reach out to the ones you already have. Facebook is the perfect place to cast a wide net by simply posting, \u201cIf you know someone in _____ city who you think I\u2019d hit it off with, let me know.\u201d Emily Kate Warren, a Los Angeles\u2013based makeup artist says, \u201cI\u2019ve moved several times in the past few years, and Facebook has been a great way to connect with people in new cities. I always take up the friend date offers. They don\u2019t always pan out, but they certainly help!\u201d Just like Warren, make sure to follow up on every lead you get. Not every recommendation will end up being your BFF, but chances are you\u2019ll at least make a new buddy or two.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
Go online. <\/b>Many singles have dabbled in online dating. Why not take the same approach to looking for friends as you would for a partner? More networking sites than ever are dedicated to helping people meet new friends. Membership-based sites, such as companiontree.com or match.com, help you connect with people in your area. Or try a free site, like girlfriendsocial.com, which is specifically geared toward women looking for new female friendships.<\/p>\n
Say yes to every invite. <\/b>Sometimes it\u2019s hard to know exactly where you\u2019ll fit in. Saying yes to every invite helps you figure out which social circles are a good match for you. <\/b>Amina Bob, a receptionist in New York City, remembers the lonely feelings she had as both the new kid in high school and again when she went off to college. \u201cI was homesick during both transitions, but I made efforts to expose myself to all kinds of people,\u201d she says. \u201cI accepted every party invite and went to as many campus events as I could until I\u2019d found people I enjoyed hanging out with.\u201d If you\u2019ve been missing the comfort of a close friend, don\u2019t wait for the phone to ring. Initiate a call or e-mail the next time you enjoy a conversation you\u2019ve had with someone new. <\/b><\/p>\n
Give your buddies a break.<\/b> Unless a friend is a repeat offender, try not to take it personally if he\u2019s late, cancels plans at the last minute, or forgets about something that\u2019s important to you. Give him the benefit of the doubt and chalk these minor offenses up to him having a bad day or being overwhelmed with demands at home or work. In fact, speak up and ask if he needs a hand or a shoulder to lean on.<\/p>\n
Widen your circle.<\/b>\u00a0<\/i>Don\u2019t limit your pool to longtime pals. Mingling with a diverse group also keeps you more plugged in to current cultural trends, other viewpoints, and new ways of looking at the world. \u201cThe best friends I\u2019ve made as an adult were my neighbors,\u201d says Warren. \u201cI\u2019ll often make a point to introduce myself and offer help if they need it.\u201d So how do you find these new connections? Try Warren\u2019s approach and introduce yourself to your neighbors, or ask a co-worker to have lunch, seek out volunteer opportunities, or sign up for a committee at work or school, or elsewhere in your town. Look for common ground with those you\u2019re in contact with day to day and use that as your entry to forge new bonds.<\/p>\n
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You already know the components of a healthy, happy lifestyle: Making smart food choices, getting plenty of rest, reducing stress, and\u00a0being more active. But there\u2019s one other thing you might consider adding to that good-for-you list: meaningful friendships. Sure, our pals make life more fun, but the benefits of friendship go far beyond the good […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[76],"tags":[371,486,487,488,489],"class_list":["post-16626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mind-and-spirit-uk","tag-friends","tag-good-friends","tag-how-to-be-a-good-friend","tag-making-good-friends","tag-stay-connected"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\r\n