Today’s Solutions: September 22, 2023

Our loved ones are what makes life worth living. Little else matches the wonderful experiences we have with friends full of laughter and it turns out these times are also good for your health. Many studies have shown that friendship is beneficial for our well-being and might even extend our life expectancy.

However, we can sometimes neglect these important relationships. It’s easy to fall into the cycle of work and sleep and forgetting to respond to a friend’s text or missing an important date in their lives. Given just how hard it is to make new friends as an adult, here are a few tips that will help you strengthen the friendships you already have.

Initiate plans

If you’re the kind of person who is constantly unwilling to commit to things—it’s time you change that. The simplest way to do that is to be the one initiating plans. That way, your friend doesn’t get the impression that you’re avoiding them. You should initiate specific plans—a time, a date, and a place—so you’re not just sending vague smoke signals that you want to meet up. Better yet, make it a regular weekly or monthly hangout if you can, so you’ll it becomes part of your routine.

Make plans on their terms

Be willing to make plans that don’t accommodate your needs only. When you meet a friend, decide on a time and a place that’s convenient for them (and not around the block from your apartment). It’s a simple gesture that shows you care for their needs too.

Remember important dates

This tip is simultaneously the easiest and the hardest one to follow. It’s easy to simply send a message on the day of their birthday, but it can also slip your mind without you realizing it for a second. To avoid missing the important dates and looking like a lousy friend, mark them down on a calendar or on your phone where you can be alerted on the day itself. By dropping your friend a message, you’re showing them they’re still on your mind even when they’re not around.

Put down the phone

If you want to be a better friend, you’ll have to learn how to listen better, too. The first step to being a good listener these days is to ignore the phone and give undivided attention to your friend. Listening without an agenda is also key, remember to respond to your friend with no judgment or interruption.

Solutions News Source Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Harnessing nature’s cooling power: US announces $1.13 billion investment in u...

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack of the United States presented a game-changing plan to address record-breaking heatwaves and climate change. This effort, which will ...

Read More

California passes radical emissions disclosure bill

California senators took a huge step toward corporate transparency by enacting Senate Bill 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act. This groundbreaking legislation establishes ...

Read More

7 proven health benefits of ginger

For centuries, scientists have written extensively about ginger and its healing properties. This odd-looking root has been found to do everything from promoting healthy ...

Read More

A four day workweek? 10 reasons it’s a great idea

While enduring the global pandemic, many of us have had the chance to reassess our values and goals for our lives. This has set ...

Read More