Men, loneliness, and the friendship gap nobody talks about
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In all honesty, the numbers do not fully support the panic that seems to be spreading over the "male loneliness epidemic". When researchers look at loneliness rates across the lifespan, men and women report similar levels of isolation. A 2019 meta-analysis of Read More...
Speed friending: one cafe's answer to America's growing friendship recession
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY'S EDITORIAL TEAM Something has shifted over the past three decades in how Americans relate to each other. In 1990, about three percent of Americans said they had no close friends. Today, that number sits somewhere between 12 and 20 percent, depending on who you ask. Jaimie Read More...
These 3 questions can help you become more likable
It's human nature to want to be liked. We desire connection and relationships, and we appreciate the affirmation and ego boost that comes from knowing that other people enjoy our company. So, it’s no surprise that many are often preoccupied with whether or not people find them likable. If you Read More...
Looking to boost your health? Spend more time with friends
One of the more startling findings in relationship science is that both romantic love and platonic friendship, though very different relationships, typically begin the same way — with a spark. But what comes next? According to relationship specialists, we frequently prioritize our romantic Read More...
How to “unghost” a past friend, according to friendship experts
In a perfect world, no one would ever end a personal relationship by abruptly stopping all communication with no explanation—In other words, “ghosting.” However, sometimes life gets in the way, and we ghost. What is unghosting? Psychologist, professor, speaker, and author Marisa G. Read More...
What vampire bats teach us about friendship
There are still biological and behavioral mysteries to social bonding that experts are trying to figure out. With so many factors at play it can be hard to put a fine point on why we do some things and not others to get close to one another. Sometimes, it pays to look at other examples of mammalian Read More...
Our greatest love of all could be friendship
We live in a world that gives top priority to finding a partner and being in a monogamous marriage. It's the "happily ever after" to our fairy tales, for better or worse. However, this narrative overlooks the rich relationships that round out a fulfilling life that have nothing to do with Read More...
4 tips that will help you be a better friend
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 Read More...
Research uncovers the complex world of beluga whale friendships
Most of us are missing our friends a lot these days. New research shows that humans aren’t the only ones that develop these feelings of loving companionship with those we meet. It turns out beluga whales also make the distinction between their immediate kin and more distant non-familial Read More...
How to navigate the process of ending a negative friendship
A good friendship can help us to live a longer, happier life. On the flip side, a negative friendship can actually impact your health for the worse. Still, even if you are aware of the negative friendship you might have, it can be difficult to know when and how to let go. If you feel that a Read More...