As we get older and quit meeting people through various extracurricular activities and in school, it may seem harder to make new friends. If you feel that you’re struggling to make bonds with people, you may want to consider some of the best ways to make friends, according to science. There are plenty of studies which prove how people make friends and how others respond to when it comes to forming strong bonds, and knowing these facts can help make finding your new BFF that much simpler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you like it or not, it can become difficult to belong to friendship for several reasons, as you grow older. People change as life progresses, and forming new friendship can be hard. This could be due to marriage and family life, professional deadlines, moving locations, and many more. To form a friendship, there has to be a willingness and openness to engage and accept each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It might sound mind-boggling at first, but in addition to being friendly and genuine, there are a number of things you could do to enhance your chances of making new friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this blog, India’s eminent psychologist<\/a> and marriage counsellor Shivani Misri Sadhoo<\/a> tells us about the best ways to make friends according to science. Here they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Find Shared Similarities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The easiest approach to form friendships would be through a common interest – whether it is at the gym, library, or through a religious institution. People tend to be friends with those who have similarities between them, including likes and dislikes, common interests, and even particular personality traits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smile<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your body language plays a big role. Smile often and make eye contact, as this can help to break the ice. Research published in the journal Motivation and Emotion showed that smiling is key to forming new friendships, as people are more adapt to positive emotions when they are making new relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reconnect With Someone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of focusing on turning a stranger into a friend, give effort on turning friendly acquaintances into friends. Reconnecting with people who have been lost long before can lead to strong friendships, even when lots of time has passed without any contact with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask Someone For An Assistance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It might sound strange, but asking someone for small assistance can make someone like you more. Asking for a favor could indicate intimacy and trust, and it can appear like an expression of esteem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Attend A Regular Gathering<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Use the exposure effect to your optimal benefit: The more often you are exposed to somebody, the more chances you are to like the person. “Without becoming a pilferer, spend more time at a place where you like to hang out anyway. The more you do, the better you are to be repeatedly exposed to people who have something in common with you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep In Constant Contact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Sense of reciprocity i.e. returning phone calls and text from a friend, for instance \u2014 is the strongest factor in whether friendships last. When a friend reaches out, look to respond. When a friend needs you, be there. We get busy in life work, and the business of adulting can keep us away from being a good friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Share Jokes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Never hold yourself back when it comes to humor. Sharing a laugh with someone makes them more likely to share personal information about themselves. Laughter makes people feel more relaxed about the details they communicate, so do not be afraid to bust out your favorite jokes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make an honest effort to get to know someone. It is easier to spot when someone is going through the motions of listening and just waiting for their chance to speak. As per psychology people who ask lots of questions when getting to know someone are rated as more likable than those who ask lesser questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have A Dog<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting a pet can do much more than just keep you company at home. It can help you make new friends. People with dogs are more approachable and meet more people normally according to various studies. If you are not able to own a pet, then consider becoming a dog sitter or dog walker.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Struggling to make new friends as an adult? Expert psychologist Shivani Misri Sadhoo shares 9 science-backed ways to build strong bonds and find your new BFF<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[156,78],"tags":[120,8,181,180,55,176,58],"class_list":["post-355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-best-marriage-counseling-in-delhi","category-best-psychologist-in-delhi","tag-best-marriage-counselling-in-delhi","tag-best-marriage-counsellor-in-delhi","tag-greater-kailash-counsellor","tag-noida-marriage-counselor","tag-relationship-counsellor-in-delhi","tag-south-delhis-best-marriage-counselor","tag-top-psychologist-in-delhi"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t