How to Keep Adult Friendships
Your friends help you live a healthier, happier life.
Healthy friendships are linked to good things like lower stress, a positive sense of well-being, improved memory, better heart health, and a longer life.
“Friendships affect our mood, sense of security, life experiences, and health,” says Mac Stanley Cazeau, LMHC, a couples therapist in New York City.
As you get older, you may find that you have less time to nurture friendships. Work, family, and other responsibilities can get in the way. But it’s a priority that’s worthwhile, Cazeau says. “Whether that’s meeting for lunch, responding to texts in a timely fashion, or scheduling a Zoom happy hour, it’s important to set aside time to connect with one another,” he says.
Quality Over Quantity
It’s not about how many friends you have; it’s about the quality of those friendships. Being with people who love and support you helps you live a healthy, happy life.
“As I get older, I definitely subscribe to quality over quantity, devoting my time to the friends that really matter and have the same values,” says Rachel Koller Croft, a 35-year-old writer in Los Angeles. “Time is precious, and I’d rather spend it with the friends that bring out the best in me, make the effort to stay in touch, and are supportive of me.”
Continued
Try these tips to stay connected:
Check in. Even if you’re busy with work and family, take a short break to check in on a friend. It doesn’t have to be a long talk. Simply asking “how are you?” shows that you’re thinking of them.
Schedule a gathering. Set aside time for a weekly or monthly meetup. Go to lunch or dinner. Plan a video call. Catch up on what’s happening in your lives to reconnect and keep your bond strong.
Plan a trip. “I love picking an Airbnb and inviting friends from different parts of my life,” says Sheila McCrink, a 36-year-old public relations professional in Carlsbad, CA. “With my closest group of friends, we do a yearly reunion trip where we can let loose, laugh hysterically, and get some much-needed time together.”
The trip gives everyone something to look forward to and keeps their friendship strong, even though their lives are busy.
How to Be a Good Friend
To keep your relationships strong and healthy, be a good friend. Healthy friendships are reciprocal, with plenty of give-and-take. “Be as good to your friends as you want them to be to you,” Cazeau says.
Try these tips to nurture your friendship:
Be a safe space. Give your friend the freedom to express themselves. “Being a safe space where your friend can share and vent without any judgment can be vital to their mental health,” Cazeau says. Try not to jump in with solutions to their problems. Your friend may simply want to talk about something that’s on their mind.
Be present. Make the time you spend together count. Put away your cell phone. Avoid distractions. Ask questions, and be an active listener. Engage in the conversation. Use good eye contact.
Be kind. Small acts of kindness add up. Tell your friend how much they mean to you, Cazeau says. Celebrate their wins. Remember their birthday with a card or a gift. Try to avoid criticism and negativity, which can pull a friendship down.
Continued
Open up. Sharing feelings and experiences brings friends closer by creating intimacy. Show your friend that you trust them by talking freely about what you think and how you feel. This can make your connection deeper.
Be reliable. When your friend knows that they can count on you, it keeps your relationship strong. If you flake out on plans or don’t keep their secrets, it will suffer. Show up on time when you have plans. Do what you say you’ll do. And keep confidential information to yourself.
Curb competitive feelings. “Try not to compare yourself to your friends,” McCrink advises. “This can be really tough, but it’s poisonous to friendships.”
In her 20s, when many of McCrink’s friends got married, she started to feel uncomfortable about being single. “It consumed me to the point where I rushed into a marriage that wasn’t right for me,” she says.
Instead of making comparisons, be your friend’s cheerleader. “Embrace where you are in your own journey and lift your friends up to keep the relationships strong,” McCrink says.
Casual or Long-Distance Friendships
You can nurture all the different kinds of friendships in your life:
Work friends. Try growing friendships at work by greeting people in a friendly way, supporting co-workers, and going to lunch or happy hour together.
Casual acquaintances. Even if you don’t know them well, ask an acquaintance how they’re doing. Congratulate them on their accomplishments. Send a quick text or message. “Social media is perfect for this,” Croft said. Leave a comment or send a direct message to set a starting point for a friendship.
Longtime friends you don’t see often. “Try reaching out more often,” Cazeau says. Plan a call or a visit to catch up. Reminisce about the old days. Talk about what matters to them and to you.
When Things Go Bad
Sometimes, friendships hit a bump in the road. If things go bad and you had a role in it, take responsibility for what you did and apologize, Cazeau says. An open conversation can get you back on track with a solid friendship.
“If you have no desire to rekindle the friendship, take the time and steps to grieve your friendship, and then move on,” Cazeau says.
Hello to all, the contents existing at this website are
in fact awesome for people knowledge, well, keep
up the nice work fellows.
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue together with your website in web explorer,
could check this? IE nonetheless is the market chief and a huge portion of folks will leave out your great writing because of this problem.
With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of exclusive
content I’ve either created myself or outsourced but
it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my permission. Do you know any
methods to help reduce content from being ripped off?
I’d certainly appreciate it.
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost
on everything. Would you advise starting with
a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there
that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any recommendations?
Appreciate it!
wonderful post, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector don’t notice this.
You should proceed your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!
If youu preferr a lighter, delicate fragrance, you might find ylang ylang a little heavy.
Here iss my page; 마사지
There are not as lots of women at law firms in Richmond
as there aree in D.C.
Look at mmy webpage :: 주점 알바
With platforms like JustAnswer, you can earn an average of $two,000-$7,000 a month by logging on and answering
people’s questions.
Stop by my web-site – Job for women
Most on-line gambling websites function each sports betting and
casino games.
My blog 메이저 토토사이트
Cafe Casino is a powerful contender and a well known oon the
net casino launched more than half a decade ago.
Also viisit my web site – 우리카지노 추천
In addition, this position makes it possible for you to effect your community on a bigger scale.
Feel free to visit my wweb blog; traditional female jobs
We carry out an appraisal of the automobile based oon make, model, mileage, and other factors.
my page … 일용직 대출
If you want to money in on this bonus, you’ll have to assure you stick by the guidelines.
Look at my homepage Casino Site
It is frequently used in aromatherapy and meditation practice
about the globe.
My blog 스웨디시 구분법
I can also adjust the scent settings to be stronger oor
weaker, depending on what mood I’m in.
Here is my page – 마사지
Forr US-primarily based agencies, for instance, you need too be a US
Feel free to visit myy homepage :: 신용대출
Swim or sunbathe at the rooftop pool, or stop by the co-ed grotto waterfall.
Check out my webpage 스웨디시마사지
$1,000.
my website: 기타대출
The causes too apply for a loan are as distinctive and diverse as thhe men and women who reques them.
my site – 평 제곱미터 변환
As players level up, they can earn anywhere from 15% too 60% cashback
on losses.
my blog post; Korean Casino Site
Great article. I am dealing with many of these issues as well..
Any acqure of the limited license for Virtual Goods is final aand is not refundable or exchangeable except in the Company’s sole
discretion.
Feel free to surf to myy site … casino79.in
A nno deposit bonus requires players to play eligible games and make bets with
the bonus fuunds inn order to meet the wagerinng requirements.
my web blog; Casino Game
If you’re a fan of the power industry but prefer that your labor doesn’t contribute tto climate adjust, this is the job for you.
Here is my site :: 주점 알바
Variarions amongst men and girls in typical hurs worked per week alkso partially clarify
the geender pay gap.
Also visiit my website: 셔츠룸알바
Providers have demonstrated robust commitment to employee well-becoming mor
than thhe previous year.
my page … webpage
Nevertheless, the shining jewel of the game selection is the diversity off table games that you can play.
Revkew my web page: 우리카지노
Ft. of private, flexible meeting space for your subsequent corporate event.
My site … casino79.in
It’s quick to seee that a larger payout percentage favors the player.
Feel free to surf to my webpage – 바카라
You are so awesome! I don’t think I’ve read through a single thing like that before.
So good to find somebody with a few unique thoughts on this subject matter.
Really.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any
tips?
If some one needs to be updated with latest technologies after that he must
be visit this web page and be up to date daily.
It’s very straightforward to find out any topic on web as compared to books, as I found this piece of
writing at this web page.
Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this blog.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between superb usability and visual appeal.
I must say that you’ve done a amazing job with this.
Also, the blog loads very quick for me on Opera. Outstanding Blog!
In this short article, we will delce ihto roles in the delivery, virtual assistant,
consulting, retail, and healthcare industries.
My blg post 이지알바
So applying the -140 would show us that you would need
to have to bet $140 to win $100 in earnings.
Feel free to surf to myy homepage – Power Play
Hі, alll is going perfecctly hesre and ofcourѕe every
one is sharing facts, that’s truⅼy ɡood, keеp up writing.
Decimal tyle odds are usually utilised in Europe, but quie
a few Sportsbooks default to American Odds of winning.
Hello! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa?
My blog goes over a lot of the same subjects
as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you are interested feel free to send me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Fantastic blog by
the way!
Tix can be made use Odds of winning to send
an email blast to previous tiket purchasers letting them know about an upcoming occasion.
The amount can be anywhere from a handful of hundred
dollars a mobth to a handful of thousand dollars.
My page: Ticket sales
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find many of your post’s to be what precisely
I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content in your case?
I wouldn’t mind creating a post or elaborating on most of the
subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome blog!
I will immediately seize your rss feed as I can not in finding your email subscription hyperlink
or e-newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Kindly let me know so that I may just subscribe.
Thanks.
It’s very effortless to find out any matter on web as compared to books, as I found this post at this web page.
Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thank you, However
I am encountering issues with your RSS. I don’t understand
why I am unable to join it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues?
Anyone who knows the solution will you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
Quality posts is the main to be a focus for the people to pay
a quick visit the site, that’s what this website is providing.
It was almost like painting with LEGOs. Van Gogh probably would have envied my artistic ability!
Top Lego kits
I’m amazed at how intricate and detailed the bonsai trees are.
This is a piece of art! Lego sets can be fun for everyone.
I’m so excited to show my friends my latest creation!
This is an awesome guide that showcases some of the coolest Lego for adults.
The attention to detail in recreating iconic landmarks is simply mind-blowing.
great lego brick projects The Lego designers deserve a standing applause.
It is amazing how they can bring characters such as Mickey Mouse to life with bricks.
The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System is like a time-traveling spaceship,
transporting me back to my childhood gaming days!
Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just
too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which
you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart.
I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a great
web site.
Everything is very open with a really clear
clarification of the challenges. It was really informative.
Your site is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!
After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new
comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is
added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment. Is there a means you can remove me
from that service? Thanks a lot!
I like the valuable info you provide to your articles. I’ll bookmark
your weblog and test once more right here frequently.
I am reasonably certain I’ll be informed many
new stuff right right here! Best of luck for
the following!
Having read this I thought it was really informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this content together.
I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!
I simply couldn’t go away your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the
standard information a person provide to your visitors? Is gonna be again often to inspect new posts
I have read some excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting.
I surprise how so much attempt you put to make any such fantastic
informative website.
Greate post. Keep writing such kind of information on your blog.
Im really impressed by your site.
Hi there, You’ve performed an excellent job.
I’ll definitely digg it and individually recommend to my
friends. I am confident they will be benefited from
this site.
Magnificent items from you, man. I’ve be mindful your stuff prior to and you are just too
excellent. I really like what you have acquired right here,
really like what you’re stating and the best way during which you assert it.
You are making it entertaining and you continue to take care of to stay it smart.
I cant wait to read much more from you. That is really
a wonderful site.
Simply wish to say your article is as astounding.
The clearness on your publish is just spectacular and
i can suppose you’re a professional on this subject.
Well along with your permission allow me to clutch your RSS feed to stay updated with forthcoming post.
Thanks a million and please keep up the enjoyable work.
I think the admin of this web site is in fact working
hard for his web site, because here every information is quality based data.
Helpful information. Lucky me I found your website
accidentally, and I’m shocked why this twist of fate did not came about in advance!
I bookmarked it.
I feel that is one of the such a lot significant information for me.
And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some common things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is really excellent :
D. Just right job, cheers
I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this
site. I really hope to see the same high-grade content by you later
on as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities
has inspired me to get my own blog now 😉
Hi, after reading this amazing article i am also delighted to share my familiarity here with colleagues.
I was wondering if you ever considered changing the page layout of your website?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the
way of content so people could connect with it better.
Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images.
Maybe you could space it out better?