Numerous studies show that friendship is important for our overall mental health, and some even argue that it is necessary for survival. Good friendships can potentially extend your life! Friendships have a considerably greater impact on your health and quality of life than other types of connections such as marriage or even family. According to research, single people who have solid, supportive connections are significantly happier than married persons who do not have good friendships. The amount of time and effort you invest into your friendships determines the quality of the relationships you form. You may have pals you’ve known for years, or you may have recently met folks with whom you want to build a relationship. Whatever the circumstance, there is always room to enhance the link and ensure that your friendships last.
Here are a few tips for keeping a lasting friendship
Be trustworthy.
A friendship is built on the firm basis of trust. This implies that if your friend becomes vulnerable in front of you and shares anything sensitive, it is your job to guarantee that your chat remains completely private. You could even tell them openly so that they feel comfortable sharing personal information with you. This is one of the keys to an enduring relationship.
Make yourself available.
Being there for your buddy in good and bad times is an important element of friendship. Even if you are unable to be physically present, make yourself available by returning their phone calls or texts. Failure to show up regularly indicates to your friend that you are not as invested in the connection as they are.
Show your appreciation
A fantastic strategy to never take a good friendship for granted and to build a lasting friendship is to recall how grateful you are to have this buddy in your life daily. You can also express this to them on occasion so that they, too, feel cherished.
A simple text message expressing gratitude for what they contribute to you, or even an email with a gratitude note, can go a long way.
Keep significant dates in mind.
If you pay attention, you will most likely learn about events that are significant to your friends. Birthdays, anniversaries, and the day they broke up or got a pet are all likely to be significant to them. Remembering such occasions shows your pals that you are interested in their lives and invested in the relationship.
Be an attentive listener.
Your attention is one of the most valuable gifts you can give to a friend. Pay attention to what your friend is saying, especially if they aren’t feeling well. You two are likely to feel closer if you can give them a secure area for them to communicate their feelings and feel heard by you. A fantastic technique to show someone you’re paying attention is to paraphrase what you’ve heard.
Acquire the ability to forgive.
Friendships, like all other relationships, go through phases of conflict. People disappoint each other, and you may not always be able to accomplish what you want to do for others.
When this happens in your friendships, remember that neither you nor they are awful people. Keep in mind that this is only one rough period in your relationship. An excellent technique to resolve conflict is to express your feelings to your friend immediately and with kindness. Try to find a solution that respects both people’s wants and feelings.
Prioritize your friendship.
It is critical to treat your friendship with the dignity it deserves. We can get caught up in our work, families, or even a new romantic relationship at times. Of course, some of this makes sense. However, we must recognize this and strive to prioritize our connections. If you find yourself not speaking to your friend for months at a time, attempt to maintain a more regular schedule. Because in-person interactions are going to be challenging at the moment, make sure you let them know that they are still very much a part of your life through messages or phone calls.
Maintaining and making a friendship last, like any other connection, takes effort. When it comes to friendship maintenance, the only guideline you need to remember is to treat your friends as you would like to be treated; the rest will take care of itself!
Featured Image Source: The Guardian Nigeria NewsGot a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com
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