5 easy ways to find new friends

Updated August 11, 2014th

Written and reviewed by a Board Certified physician. See the Medical Review Board About.com.

More and more people report smaller social networks, isolation increases, and current research shows that many health risks of loneliness. Strong social ties are important, and if you find yourself without counting enough friends, it is time to make new ones. Anna Miller, in an article about loneliness, offers five practical ways to make more friends.

1 Get to know

Each psychology textbook introductory talk to the phenomenon that people like what they find familiar. If you are shy to new people feel taken, it will be easier if they do not again. By following a routine in your life when it comes to the social environment, for example, go to the same class at the gym every week, "foreigners" seems no longer strangers and you will be more familiar. Then you can not be that hard to meet new people because they are old and familiar.

Two open

Gap leads over. If you have deep and intimate conversations with people, build stronger relationships. Of course it makes no sense to share their deepest secrets abroad agree with you in the office, but when you learn to trust someone to start and know it, take the risk and share a secret. You probably begin to enjoy a new friendship.

3 Control your thoughts

Soledad recorded as a threat to their well-being and safety. If you feel alone, can probably see every social interaction as a confirmation of their isolation. Therefore, you can use the fearful, negative and hostile loneliness, and the perception that a self-fulfilling prophecy can be seen. The message is to be careful with your negative thoughts and negative interpretation of social situations. Lead researcher Dr. John Cacioppo found that people who play their own negative thoughts more effective in reducing loneliness was as social skills training or other interventions.

4 of Internet Attention

If you are someone who already support a strong social network, internet and social media effectively, the health of their relationships. However, if you are struggling with loneliness, social media sites like Facebook can do their worst loneliness. In carrying out their friendships outside the internet technology can be good for you when your friends are virtual, you might want to spend some time to meet people in person.

5 Do what feels right

Cacioppo found that loneliness is harmful when people really feel the effects of it. If you are limited, but hungry for more friends, you do not have to press the question. Do what makes you happy. Although we have a social species, each has different needs for social connection.

_Swell

_{Miller, A. (2014). Friends wanted: A new study by psychologists discovered the health risks of loneliness and the benefits of strong ties Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, 45 (1), 54-58 ..}

_{Winerman, L. (2013) What attracts us to Facebook. Examine psychologists and communication researchers, such as Facebook attracts us so successful in the monitor-psychology, the American Psychological Association, 44 (3).}

_{Wrzus, C; Hanel, M; Wagner, J; Neyer, FZ (2013) of changes in social life and events throughout life: a meta-analysis, Psychological Bulletin, vol. 139 (1), 53-80.}