Grow meaningful friendships

Friendships can have a major impact on our health and well-being, but they’re not always easy to start or maintain. Understand the importance of friendships in your life, and what you can do to cultivate and nurture them.

Friends can help you celebrate the good times and support you through the bad times. Friends can also:

1.- Increase your sense of belonging and purpose.
2.- Increase your happiness and reduce your stress.
3.- Improve your self-confidence and self-esteem.
4.- Help you cope with trauma, such as divorce, serious illness, job loss, or the death of a loved one.
5.- Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy habits in your life.

You may have to suggest plans several times before you know if your interest in a new friend is mutual.

5 tips to cultivate friendships

Making and maintaining healthy friendships involves give and receive. Letting your friends know that you care and appreciate them, strengthens your emotional bond. It is as important to be a good friend as it is to surround yourself with good friends.

• Be nice. Every act of kindness and every expression of gratitude increases the well-being of both parties.

• Listen. Ask about what’s going on in your friends life. When your friends share details of difficult times or experiences, be understanding, but don’t offer advice unless they ask for…
• Share. Express what you think and feel. Being willing to talk about personal experiences and concerns shows that your friends have a special place in your life.

• Show you can be worthy of trust. Being responsible, trustworthy, and showing that you can be dependable, makes strong friendships. Do not miss commitments and arrive on time. Keep the promises you have made. When your friends share sensitive information, don’t divulge it.
• Be available. Making a friendship intimate takes time. Make an effort to see your new friends regularly.

It’s never too late to make new friends or reconnect with old friends. Investing time in making friends and strengthening your friendships can result in better health and future.

With information from: Mayoclinic.org