Healthy Aging: Having Friends Helps You Live Longer

Having Friends Helps You Live Longer

Healthy Aging in Wayne, NJ Seniors Points Towards More Socialization

One simple answer to long life is, friendship! So, how do we make friends and keep friends? And, better yet, how in the world can etiquette help?

The Passaic and Bergen CountyPost reccomends: A few tips on how to keep long lasting friendships for a better quality of life.

Do not be a dream killer. When a friend shares aspiration, dreams, goals or accomplishments, encourage and support them. One eighth-grader astutely said, “Everyone has dreams.” How true this is! As adults, we can certainly apply this to our friends when they share professional goals, far-reaching dreams and relationship goals. Simply stated, rejoice with those who rejoice!
 
Be loyal. Stick up for your friends, care for them and help your friends. Get out of your comfort zone, even if the timing is inconvenient or the circumstances are unpleasant. What can adults take from this? Do not be a fair-weathered friend, and do not be a friend who is only around when there is a crisis or emergency. Be loyal through life’s ups and downs.
 
Plan things together. In the words of eighth-graders, “hang out.” Sounds simple, but as adults, don’t we sometimes get so busy that we forget to “hang out” together? The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships says it takes 50 hours to consider someone a casual friend and 200 hours of quality time to be considered a close friend. Yep, we have to plan, carve out time and invest in our friends!
 
Do not monopolize the conversation. Be a good listener. A good question to ask yourself, “Are you really listening or waiting to talk? This is a great way to strengthen already established relationships and cause relative strangers to start to become friends. A way to practice this in everyday life is to sit face-to-face with someone and listen for (approximately) two minutes straight without interrupting. You may use facial expressions or nod. While doing this, listen to really listen, not to respond. This is a very easy activity that improves your listening skills and helps form deeper relationships.
 
To read the full Passaic and Bergen CountyNews Post article please click here
Source: https://www.waynepost.com/news/20190118/etiquette-chics-having-friends-helps-you-live-longer
 
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