Summary
- Have interests that lead to friendships.
- Set aside your fears of rejection and thoughts of perfectionism.
- Commit to meeting with a friend regularly.
- Be a friend to yourself first.
Have you ever felt lonely and wished for a close friend? You’re certainly in good company. Everyone gets lonely now and then. Genuine, lasting friendship is what we all crave. It is important for our well-being. Are you willing to take some risks and get busy finding that friend?
Friendship and your health
Studies show that friendship can improve your emotional and physical health. Having a close friend can boost your happiness and self-confidence. It lowers stress, and adds years to your life. It can also help you celebrate good times, cope better with challenges and reduce your risk of:
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Finding friends
If you don’t have a reasonable candidate lined up for a deepening friendship, it’s time to find one. First, consider your interests and routines. The challenge is then to get out and start introducing yourself to others or strike up casual conversations with them. Consider these places to meet people:
- Work: Try to meet people in the workplace, at conferences, etc.
- Sports: Join a team or go watch your favorite sporting events.
- Exercise: Walk or jog in well-attended areas, or join a health club.
- Animals: Walk your pet, browse in a pet store or attend pet shows or obedience classes.
- Spirituality: Attend worship services, retreats and special functions at your house of worship.
- Reading: Relax and read in a library, bookstore or coffee shop.
- The arts: Visit museums, plays, concerts or galleries.
Friendships that last
Suppose you’ve met someone with whom you really click. For a deeper friendship, you must put your time and effort into the relationship. Start by committing to call this person and meet regularly. Set aside your fears of rejection or you won’t conquer loneliness. If you’ve found common ground and seem to get along, it’s worth the risk. To be a good friend, you should also:
- Treat your friend better than anyone else in the world.
- Speak kindly to them and about them. Don’t judge or be petty.
- Forgive and ask forgiveness when needed.
- Be open and share your feelings.
- Listen more, talk less. Be interested and empathetic.
- Be genuine. Don’t lie or pretend to be what you’re not.
- Offer them respect, loyalty and trust.
- Give generously of your time, support and favors.
- Don’t vent your bad moods on your friend. Be kind.
The friend in you
Do you try to be a good friend but often ruin a relationship at some point? Learn first to like yourself, and your relationships are bound to improve. Here are a few suggestions:
- Actively decide to be for yourself, to lift yourself up.
- Identify and change the ways you pull yourself down (words, thoughts, habits, etc.).
- Tell the critic in your mind “Stop” when you think negatively about yourself.
- Choose thoughts and activities that make you feel good about yourself.
- Forgive yourself for being imperfect. Show yourself compassion and kindness.
- Compliment yourself on your achievements and strengths.
- Set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate meeting them.
- Learn to enjoy your own company. Find solitary hobbies and interests that make you happy.
- Take care of your needs for proper sleep, nutrition, exercise and relaxation.
Be patient in your efforts to like yourself more and to build deep friendships with others. You also must let go of any thoughts that the ideal friend is out there for you. Relationships between two imperfect people (therefore, any two humans) will have flaws. But if you’re willing to work at it, you will find that great friend and embrace any shortcomings as opportunities for adventure.
Summary
- Have interests that lead to friendships.
- Set aside your fears of rejection and thoughts of perfectionism.
- Commit to meeting with a friend regularly.
- Be a friend to yourself first.
Have you ever felt lonely and wished for a close friend? You’re certainly in good company. Everyone gets lonely now and then. Genuine, lasting friendship is what we all crave. It is important for our well-being. Are you willing to take some risks and get busy finding that friend?
Friendship and your health
Studies show that friendship can improve your emotional and physical health. Having a close friend can boost your happiness and self-confidence. It lowers stress, and adds years to your life. It can also help you celebrate good times, cope better with challenges and reduce your risk of:
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Finding friends
If you don’t have a reasonable candidate lined up for a deepening friendship, it’s time to find one. First, consider your interests and routines. The challenge is then to get out and start introducing yourself to others or strike up casual conversations with them. Consider these places to meet people:
- Work: Try to meet people in the workplace, at conferences, etc.
- Sports: Join a team or go watch your favorite sporting events.
- Exercise: Walk or jog in well-attended areas, or join a health club.
- Animals: Walk your pet, browse in a pet store or attend pet shows or obedience classes.
- Spirituality: Attend worship services, retreats and special functions at your house of worship.
- Reading: Relax and read in a library, bookstore or coffee shop.
- The arts: Visit museums, plays, concerts or galleries.
Friendships that last
Suppose you’ve met someone with whom you really click. For a deeper friendship, you must put your time and effort into the relationship. Start by committing to call this person and meet regularly. Set aside your fears of rejection or you won’t conquer loneliness. If you’ve found common ground and seem to get along, it’s worth the risk. To be a good friend, you should also:
- Treat your friend better than anyone else in the world.
- Speak kindly to them and about them. Don’t judge or be petty.
- Forgive and ask forgiveness when needed.
- Be open and share your feelings.
- Listen more, talk less. Be interested and empathetic.
- Be genuine. Don’t lie or pretend to be what you’re not.
- Offer them respect, loyalty and trust.
- Give generously of your time, support and favors.
- Don’t vent your bad moods on your friend. Be kind.
The friend in you
Do you try to be a good friend but often ruin a relationship at some point? Learn first to like yourself, and your relationships are bound to improve. Here are a few suggestions:
- Actively decide to be for yourself, to lift yourself up.
- Identify and change the ways you pull yourself down (words, thoughts, habits, etc.).
- Tell the critic in your mind “Stop” when you think negatively about yourself.
- Choose thoughts and activities that make you feel good about yourself.
- Forgive yourself for being imperfect. Show yourself compassion and kindness.
- Compliment yourself on your achievements and strengths.
- Set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate meeting them.
- Learn to enjoy your own company. Find solitary hobbies and interests that make you happy.
- Take care of your needs for proper sleep, nutrition, exercise and relaxation.
Be patient in your efforts to like yourself more and to build deep friendships with others. You also must let go of any thoughts that the ideal friend is out there for you. Relationships between two imperfect people (therefore, any two humans) will have flaws. But if you’re willing to work at it, you will find that great friend and embrace any shortcomings as opportunities for adventure.
Summary
- Have interests that lead to friendships.
- Set aside your fears of rejection and thoughts of perfectionism.
- Commit to meeting with a friend regularly.
- Be a friend to yourself first.
Have you ever felt lonely and wished for a close friend? You’re certainly in good company. Everyone gets lonely now and then. Genuine, lasting friendship is what we all crave. It is important for our well-being. Are you willing to take some risks and get busy finding that friend?
Friendship and your health
Studies show that friendship can improve your emotional and physical health. Having a close friend can boost your happiness and self-confidence. It lowers stress, and adds years to your life. It can also help you celebrate good times, cope better with challenges and reduce your risk of:
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
Finding friends
If you don’t have a reasonable candidate lined up for a deepening friendship, it’s time to find one. First, consider your interests and routines. The challenge is then to get out and start introducing yourself to others or strike up casual conversations with them. Consider these places to meet people:
- Work: Try to meet people in the workplace, at conferences, etc.
- Sports: Join a team or go watch your favorite sporting events.
- Exercise: Walk or jog in well-attended areas, or join a health club.
- Animals: Walk your pet, browse in a pet store or attend pet shows or obedience classes.
- Spirituality: Attend worship services, retreats and special functions at your house of worship.
- Reading: Relax and read in a library, bookstore or coffee shop.
- The arts: Visit museums, plays, concerts or galleries.
Friendships that last
Suppose you’ve met someone with whom you really click. For a deeper friendship, you must put your time and effort into the relationship. Start by committing to call this person and meet regularly. Set aside your fears of rejection or you won’t conquer loneliness. If you’ve found common ground and seem to get along, it’s worth the risk. To be a good friend, you should also:
- Treat your friend better than anyone else in the world.
- Speak kindly to them and about them. Don’t judge or be petty.
- Forgive and ask forgiveness when needed.
- Be open and share your feelings.
- Listen more, talk less. Be interested and empathetic.
- Be genuine. Don’t lie or pretend to be what you’re not.
- Offer them respect, loyalty and trust.
- Give generously of your time, support and favors.
- Don’t vent your bad moods on your friend. Be kind.
The friend in you
Do you try to be a good friend but often ruin a relationship at some point? Learn first to like yourself, and your relationships are bound to improve. Here are a few suggestions:
- Actively decide to be for yourself, to lift yourself up.
- Identify and change the ways you pull yourself down (words, thoughts, habits, etc.).
- Tell the critic in your mind “Stop” when you think negatively about yourself.
- Choose thoughts and activities that make you feel good about yourself.
- Forgive yourself for being imperfect. Show yourself compassion and kindness.
- Compliment yourself on your achievements and strengths.
- Set realistic goals for yourself and celebrate meeting them.
- Learn to enjoy your own company. Find solitary hobbies and interests that make you happy.
- Take care of your needs for proper sleep, nutrition, exercise and relaxation.
Be patient in your efforts to like yourself more and to build deep friendships with others. You also must let go of any thoughts that the ideal friend is out there for you. Relationships between two imperfect people (therefore, any two humans) will have flaws. But if you’re willing to work at it, you will find that great friend and embrace any shortcomings as opportunities for adventure.