Few Tips To Help You Make Good Friends

Making new friends can be intimidating, but it is definitely rewarding. After all, friends are a big part of our life for most of us. They are the ones who walk through life together, share our ups and downs, pains and joys. Without friends, life would not be the same at all.

Our society tends to emphasize romantic relationships. We believe that just finding the right person will make us happy and fulfilled. But research shows that friends are actually even more important to our psychological well-being. Friends bring more happiness to our lives than practically anything else.

Friendships have a huge impact on your mental health and your happiness. Good friends relieve stress, bring comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness and isolation. Developing close friendships can also have a powerful impact on your physical health. Lack of social connection can pose as great a risk as smoking, drinking too much, or leading a sedentary lifestyle. Friends are even tied to longevity. A Swedish study found that, along with physical activity, maintaining a rich network of friends can add significant years to your life.When looking to meet new people, try to open up to new experiences. Not everything you try will lead to success, but you can always learn from the experience and hopefully have fun.

* Volunteering

Volunteering can be a great way to help others and meet new people at the same time. Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to regularly practice and develop your social skills.

* Join a Club

Take a class or join a club to meet people with common interests, such as a book group, dinner club, or sports team. Websites like Meetup.com can help you find local groups or start your own and connect with others who share similar interests.

* Walk a dog

Dog owners often stop and chat while their dogs sniff or play with each other. If having a dog is not right for you, volunteer to walk dogs from a local shelter or rescue group.

* Attend Seminars

Attend art gallery openings, book readings, conferences, music recitals, or other community events where you can meet people with similar interests. Check with your library or local newspaper for events near you.

* Behave like someone new to the area

Even if you’ve lived in the same place your entire life, take the time to re-explore the attractions in your neighborhood. Newcomers to any town or city tend to visit these places first and are often also interested in meeting new people and making friends.

* Cheer on your team

Going to a bar alone can seem intimidating, but if you support a sports team, find out where other fans go to watch the games. You automatically have a shared interest, your team, which makes it natural to start a conversation.

* Unplug

It is difficult to meet new people in any social situation if you are more interested in your phone than in the people around you. Take off your headphones and put your smartphone away while you’re in the checkout line or waiting for a bus, for example. Making eye contact and exchanging small talk with strangers is good practice for making connections, and you never know where it might lead!