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How to Improve Relationships with Friends

Friends are a large part of most people’s lives and are crucial to happiness. They provide us with companionship and are there for us during good times and bad. Friends are often honest with us when nobody else is, and they accept us as we are, faults and all.

Even if your relationships with your friends are positive, there are probably things you could do to improve them. Why not give some of these suggestions on how to improve relationships with friends a try?

Enjoy Activities with Your Friends
It’s always worthwhile to take an active role in your friends’ interests. Not only will you get to spend quality time together doing something your friend loves, but you will also find out a lot about your friend that you might not have known.

Another fun way to improve your relationships with your friends is to try a new activity together. Why not sign the two of you up for a cooking class? You’ll learn a great skill and build lots of memories.

Make A Dinner Date
A simple way to bond with friends and strengthen your relationships with them is just to talk to them. Have frequent phone conversations with your friends, even if you are just calling to tell them to have a good day. Dinners and lunches also provide great opportunities for talking and catching up with your friends.

While talking to your friends, you should also do a lot of listening. Listen to what they say to you and also to what they aren’t saying. Sometimes body language and actions can tell you a lot more about your friends than their words.

Tips for Making Friends
While it’s important to keep your relationships with your current friends strong, it’s also important to build new friendships. But some people don’t know how to make friends. Often, people are too shy or lack the self-confidence that it takes to go up to a new person, which makes it hard to make friends.

Whether you're the new kid in the classroom or the new staff member at the office, keep these tips in mind and you’ll be making friends in no time:

• Be pleasant: People are always more attracted to nice people.
  
  
• Be yourself: Let them know who you are and tell them about your interests. Some of the best friendships are based on having things in common.
  
  
• Make your move: Be proactive in making friends. Join clubs, be part of groups and engage in activities with others.
  
  
• Ask questions: Ask people questions about themselves and be interested in what others have to say and/or do.
  
  
• Don’t Overdo It: Don't act bossy or be a show-off. Both are sure ways to avoid making friends.