How To Make Friends As An Adult

Friends come and go throughout your life. When you are a child, it often seems easy to make friends. But as an adult? How can you make friends as an adult? In this article, we give you some great tips on how to meet new people. Maybe you do not have time to socialize, you are too stressed or feel overwhelmed by responsibilities. Whatever the reason, do not lose heart! It is possible to make friends as an adult.

Everyone knows that friendship is an important part of life, but there are some interesting studies that analyze the specific benefits of friends. A study from the University of Virginia, for example, shows that you increase your empathy by making friends, regardless of your age.

Psychologist Julianna Holt-Lunstad, a professor at Brigham Young University in Iowa, believes that the lack of a social support network is a greater risk factor for mortality than obesity or a sedentary, inactive lifestyle. Have you also realized the importance of making friends? Do not miss these tips that will help you create new friendships in adulthood!

How to make friends as an adult

A study conducted by the non-profit organization Relate found that one in eight adults in the UK has no close friends. Although it is not always easy to make friends as an adult, it is not impossible. Keep reading to get some tips on how to create meaningful friendships.

Register for activities

One of the best ways to socialize is to participate in group activities. You can sign up for a course or workshop, join an association or volunteer. If you live in a larger city, there is probably something you can get involved in. If you live in the countryside or in a small town, check out the offer a short distance from home. Friendship is worth traveling for!

This is a great way to meet people and learn something new along the way. Or maybe it’s your chance to rediscover a hobby you have not pursued in several years. The advantage of registering for activities you are more familiar with is that you meet people who have similar interests. If you register for something new, on the other hand, you will get out of your comfort zone and get some new experiences. Both options have their advantages. It’s a win-win situation!

Exercise or practice sports

Another idea in the same direction is to practice a sport or exercise. Whether you decide to get a gym card or start jogging, it gives you many chances to meet people your own age. But it will take some effort on your part, especially if you are more introverted.

If you need a little help, there are many sports clubs and organizations for adults. Hiking and running clubs are especially common. Websites like Meetup are perfect for reaching out to people with similar interests. Do a little online research and see what interests you the most. You have nothing to lose but loneliness and the two extra pounds.

And as if this were not sufficient reason to move, studies show that exercise is very important on many other levels as well. Sports psychologist Miguel Morilla emphasizes the importance of physical exercise to improve your individual and social well-being. This in turn can help reduce anxiety and depression. So it’s not only a great strategy for meeting new people, but also a tool for improving your overall quality of life.

Have an open mind and it will be easier to make friends as an adult

If everyone was outgoing, we would not be writing this article. You introverts out there do not have to worry. You can still make good friends. Just try to maintain an open mind when meeting new people. If you are really shy, you can set a goal to introduce yourself to people a little at a time. For example, if you join a running club, you can try to talk to someone new at each meeting. You can also bring someone you feel safe with to your new activity, at least at the first opportunity.

Extroversion is a personality trait that is found naturally in some people. But what many do not know is that you can actually “learn” to be outgoing.

A recent study, conducted by researcher Seth Margolis and published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology , shows that outgoing people are happier overall, even those who are actually introverted.

As you can see, this feature helps to break the ice and connect with people, which is very useful for making friends of all ages.

Stay in touch

Keeping in touch with the friends you make along the way is an obvious but sometimes difficult way to achieve lasting friendship. After all, it’s not just important to make friends: you also need to know how to keep them!

You may be asking yourself how it is possible to stay in touch when you have so much that occupies your time. Well, just try to set aside some time to meet or call your friends. You do not have to spend hours with them every time, but sending messages, making a quick call and suggesting activities, let your friends know that you care and that you are still there for them.