How to create new friends 
 

Friendships have a huge impact on your mental health and happiness. 

Good friends relieve stress, provide comfort and joy, and prevent loneliness and isolation. 

One Swedish study found that, along with physical activity, maintaining a rich network of friends can add significant years to your life. 

We tend to make friends with people we cross paths with regularly: people we go to school with, work with, or live close to.

So look at the places you frequent as you start your search for potential friends. When looking to meet new people, try to open yourself up to new experiences. 

Volunteering can be a great way to help others while also meeting new people. Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to regularly practice and develop your social skills.

Take a class or join a club to meet people with common interests, such as a book group, dinner club, or sports team. 

Walk a dog. Dog owners often stop and chat while their dogs play with each other. If dog ownership isn’t right for you, volunteer to walk dogs from a shelter or a local rescue group.

Attend art gallery openings, book readings, lectures, music recitals, or other community events where you can meet people with similar interests. 

Check with your library or local paper for events near you. Behave like someone new to the area. 

Even if you’ve lived in the same place all your life, take the time to re-explore your neighborhood attractions. 

New arrivals to any town or city tend to visit these places first—and they’re often keen to meet new people and establish friendships, too.

Cheer on your team. Going to a bar alone can seem intimidating, but if you support a sports team, find out where other fans go to watch the games. 

You automatically have a shared interest (your team) which makes it natural to start up a conversation.

Take Action: 

Set a goal to meet some new people this month.

Today’s quote: “It’s not that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but it’s your best friends who are your diamonds.” – Gina Barreca