Good Friendships

Research shows that friendship is very important for our psychological well-being. Friends bring happiness to our lives more than anything else. Good friendships also have a strong effect on our physical health too. Technology has changed our definition of friendship these days. We can add a friend or make a new connection with a click. But having hundreds of friends online is not the same as having a truly close friend in person. Online friends can’t hug you or be with you during your sickness or happy times. A face-to-face connection is more important than having friends online.

We usually make friends with people who we go to school with, work with or live close to.

The more we see our friends the better that friendship is. So the places you go to are often a good place to look for future friends. Another important factor in friendship is common interests. We like being around people who share the same likes such as a hobby, career, kids the same age, cultural background, etc.

So if you want to meet new friends, it’s a good idea to join a club or take a class. Friendship starts with making eye contact and having small conversations with people. So put away your headphones and smartphones and look around you. You might meet someone who ends up being a very good friend!

It takes time to get close to people and become good friends. Always be the friend that you would like to have. Treat your friends like you wanted to be treated. Be trustworthy, caring, reliable and loyal.