Healthy people have healthy friendships, and its never to late to start building those friendships. In the age of social media, its is crazy that a person can know what 800 Facebook friends are doing and still feel alone. According to the Mayo Clinic, ” research suggests that use of social networking sites doesn’t necessarily translate to a larger offline network or closer offline relationships with network members.” True friendships take time to grow and cultivate. Having good friends means being a good friend. Lets take a look at tips that build better friendships creating a happy, healthier,  more enriched life.

Tips for making friends:

• Making friends with your kids friend’s parents. (I don’t have these yet but my cousin is taking a pre-natal yoga class to meet soon to be new moms.)
  

  My cousin Jordy and baby girl coming soon

  

  Dalton Girls

• Volunteer in the community. You can meet people you might never meet in your daily life. You might  meet someone you share a common heart or passion for a cause with.
• Check off a bucket list activity. My personal bucket list activity….be in the Mrs. Oregon pageant. I met some of the most amazing women and made some great friends.
  

  Mrs. City of Roses and Mrs. Multnomah County (my friend Krista)

• Join a church. Talk about two for one! Spiritual health and friendship. So many wonderful people all together with a common heart. Find your right church there are so many to choose from. I am currently at Solid Rock a mega church, but grew up at Rock Creek Church a small community church.
• Go to the gym. Or sign up for an exercise event in your city. I am loving meeting new women from all walks of life.  Zumbaing together will really bring you closer. Trust me when you accidentally almost booty bump your neighbor it forces you to say “hi” or at least “sorry.”
  

  Emily and I ran bridge to brews

• Lunch, coffee, or frozen yogurt it up. Plan lunch dates and be intentional about picking people to get to know better. Plus why not Portland is full of great coffee shops and lunch locations. Try a new place together.  There are always great Groupons or living social deals for discounts too.
  

  Sarah

• Take a class. Hahaha true story my sis and I took an acting class together this year. We met some awesome people and grew closer together as we played some crazy acting games.

My friends Heidi, Kari, Amy, & Amanda

Tips for deepening friendships:

• First of all go easy on your self. Having a positive self image is a more attractive friend quality than someone who is always putting them selves down.
• Come to your friends for advise but don’t complain all the time. Be purposeful. If you don’t actually want advise, don’t ask for it.
• Listen to your friends. Don’t already have advise for them before they are done talking. Really take the time to hear them out without judging.
• Be a confidential friend. Keep those secrets if they ask you too. Unless its a secret that could be harmful to them or someone else.

In health,

Tara Arnold, RN