4 Ways to Maintain Healthy Friendships

Many experts agree that maintaining a close circle of friends into old age boosts your social and emotional health. These connections help you feel less isolated and more social. Understanding how essential social relationships are to our wellbeing, its critical to put effort into them. This can be easier said then done. Friendships aren’t always easy to make or to keep. However, once formed, they can turn into long-lasting connections. In this article, you’ll examine four key ways to maintain healthy friendships.

1.Normalize Wholesome Interactions With Your Bestie  

If you’ve ever given or received a compliment from a stranger, you can likely remember that it made you feel a little better. Why not do the same for your friends? Even when you’re not in the best mood, showing up for your friend is important to maintaining connection. “Showing up” for friends can look like celebrating their successes, listening to their stories or concerns, and supporting them through life transitions. Whether you are working full-time, attending school, or maintaining other relationships, you can still make time for your friends. Plan to see them, check in by phone , or shoot them a quick text.  A little goes a long way, and a good friend will return the favor. Remember these positive interactions with your friends boosts the connection, and your overall wellbeing.

2.Creating A Balanced Friendship Dynamic 

Friendships can be easier to maintain when you live in the same city, single, or childless. When people move towns, get a new job, or have children, this can prevent time spent in the between friends. Or at the very least are common excuses for why friends stop “showing up”. Despite this, friends need to maintain regular contact with one another to keep the friendship alive. Whether this means calling to check up on one another or sharing funny voice notes about your day, it has an impact. Distance due to a relocation, or responsibilities contributing to busy schedules, doesn’t mean a connection is lost. Instead, it requires more intention.

With every friendship, all parties deserve to feel understood and respected. This includes respecting each other's boundaries. Reciprocation is also essential, as the connection should not be onesided. If the relationship is not compatible, ending or restricting the friendship may become a consideration. So be clear on your limits and define them. 

3. Embrace the Imperfections  

No friendship is completely perfect. Friends say things you don’t like, or behave in ways that annoy you. Your lives could change for a while, turning in different directions. Friends grow apart, and that is normal. You might grow closer again, or you might not. There is no such thing as the “ideal” friend, because we humans are inherently flawed. We need to know how to set realistic expectations so that we aren’t disappointed. Friendships should be built on authenticity, rather than superficiality. Real, genuine friendships thrive when people can be themselves without worrying about judgment. If you’re putting on an act for someone, then they aren’t experiencing your most authentic self. Share your real thoughts and opinions with your friends. Be open and honest about how you feel. It will pay off in the long run when you can truly say that your friends chose to stay by your side and to know you.  

4.Handle Conflicts With Maturity

Inevitably, friendships will have bumps in the road. When this happens, it’s crucial to maintain a mature and respectful attitude. Don’t resort to name-calling or bullying. Actively talk with your friend and listen to resolve the conflict. Use “I” statements to express your feelings. Aim to fix issues in the present instead of letting grudges build over time. Communication is a core pillar of friendship. Try to be empathetic to their feelings as well. Don’t treat it as a winning or losing contest, but as a solution that both of you can agree upon. You can acknowledge both their and your own role in the conflict without pointing the finger at them.  

Healthy Friendships is Key to Social Wellness

Working to improve your friendships not only strengthens your relationships with others but also your relationship with yourself. By developing healthy connections you improve your social wellness, an important part of any wellness journey.