Title: Making Good Friends - HelpGuide.org
Headings: Making Good Friends
Making Good Friends
Looking to build new friendships? These tips can help you meet people, start a conversation, and cultivate healthy connections that will improve your life and well-being.
Coronavirus update
Why are friends so important?
The benefits of friendships
Why online friends aren’t enough
What to look for in a friend
Focus on the way a friendship feels, not what it looks like
Tips for being more friendly and social (even if you’re shy)
Evaluating interest
How to make new friends: Where to start
Meeting new people
Take a moment to unplug
Turning acquaintances into friends
Overcoming obstacles to making friends
If you’re too busy…
If you’re afraid of rejection…
For better friendships, be a better friend yourself

Content: Friendships have a huge impact on your mental health and happiness. Good friends relieve stress, provide 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 may pose as much of a risk as smoking, drinking too much, or leading a sedentary lifestyle. Friends are even tied to longevity. One Swedish study found that, along with physical activity, maintaining a rich network of friends can add significant years to your life. But close friendships don’t just happen. Many of us struggle to meet people and develop quality connections. Whatever your age or circumstances, though, it’s never too late to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and greatly improve your social life, emotional health, and overall well-being. The benefits of friendships
While developing and maintaining friendships takes time and effort, healthy friendships can: