{"id":9004111222118800,"date":"2022-05-18T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/?p=9004111222118800"},"modified":"2025-04-04T09:48:37","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T09:48:37","slug":"top-habits-to-cultivate-stronger-friendships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/top-habits-to-cultivate-stronger-friendships\/","title":{"rendered":"Top Habits to Cultivate Stronger Friendships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Friendship is vital to our mental well-being. While we often prioritize our romantic relationships, it has been scientifically proven that strong friendships are majorly important<\/a> for a well-rounded, happy life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Are Friendships Important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As social beings, we humans are wired for a connection. Here are some other important reasons you need friends in your life: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends are good for our health<\/strong>. According to a 2006 study on social ties and health, having strong social ties can improve mental health<\/a>. They can also help lower your BMI and prolong your life<\/a>. They make us feel happier and less alone in the world\u2014like we\u2019ve got someone in our corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends offer support and encouragement<\/strong>. Friends offer a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, share in our celebrations, and make the tough times a lot lighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends teach us important skills.<\/strong> Our relationships with our friends help us develop a wealth of life skills like loyalty, respect, openness and good communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends can make us better people.<\/strong> Having friends who are a positive influence can actually motivate you to make favorable strides in your own life. Friends can encourage you to think bigger, stretch yourself, and inspire you to reach your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends can keep you accountable.<\/strong> Having people in your life you can check in with when you want to make progress in your life can encourage you to follow through with your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friends make life more enjoyable.<\/strong> Playwright Tennessee Williams said it pretty well when he said, \u201cLife is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose.\u201d Quite simply, friends make life more vibrant and exciting\u2014they help us live our better-than-ever lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 Habits to Keep Your Friendships Strong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that the case has been made for why those friendships of yours are so important, let\u2019s talk about how to keep \u2018em strong. Because let\u2019s face it: in this fast-paced, online world, it can be hard to tend to friendships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all comes down to habits. Healthy habits are the foundation upon which healthy lives are created<\/a>. Without further ado, here are eight habits you can embrace to help your friendships thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Touch Base Weekly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even if it\u2019s a simple text conversation, make a point to reach out to your closest friends once a week to find out how they\u2019re doing and let them know you\u2019re thinking of them. A simple \u201cHow\u2019s your week going?\u201d can go a long way toward making someone feel thought of and appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Schedule Regular Hangouts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The best way to make things happen is to plan for them, so try planning your next few get-togethers in advance. Compare calendars and try to nail down your next three to four get-togethers (or more, if you\u2019re feeling super motivated!). You don\u2019t need to know what you\u2019ll be doing, but getting it on the calendar will ensure you\u2019ve booked the time. If your friend lives out of state, this still applies! Schedule some FaceTime dates to have a virtual coffee or happy hour together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Experience Something New Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Been dying to visit that new museum in town, see that live band or join a book club? Ask your friend to do it with you! If you can\u2019t do it in person, find a virtual experience you can do together (training to become a Health Coach<\/a>, perhaps?) and then compare notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Embrace Their Interests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Does your friend love horror movies? Relish a sumptuous meal? Harbor a seahorse obsession? Plan an outing or send them a gift that shows them you know them and see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Be Vulnerable With Them<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Is there something you\u2019ve been struggling with? A challenge you\u2019re not sure how to tackle? Opening up to your friends about your personal challenges and struggles can deepen your friendship, help you work through problems you\u2019re facing, establish trust, and offer a different perspective on whatever issue you\u2019re faced with. So go ahead and let your friend see the perfect imperfectness that is you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Do Something Special \u201cJust Because\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Commemorating birthdays is great and something you should definitely do, but doing something special for a friend on an average day is an unexpected surprise your friend will remember forever. How about sending a care package with your friend\u2019s favorite things in it? It doesn\u2019t have to be anything crazy expensive for it to mean a lot. You could go old school and make a mix of their favorite music. Or you could pick up a few odds and ends from super affordable stores like T.J. Maxx, Marshall\u2019s or Dollar Tree, and create a meaningful package of goodies on the cheap that\u2019s sure to put a big ole smile on your friend\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Tackle a Health Challenge Together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you and your friend have similar health goals, buddy up and tackle them together. If you both want to work on your mindfulness<\/a>, for instance, you might commit to a 30-day meditation series. If you want to cleanse your body and tone up, consider doing a detox or workout challenge together. Having an accountability partner will make the process a lot more fun while giving you the motivation you need to see it through to the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Send Them Snail Mail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Who doesn\u2019t love getting mail? No one. The answer is no one. Pick up a card or grab a sheet of notebook paper and let your friend know how much they mean to you and why you\u2019re grateful for their friendship. Bonus points if you share some of your favorite memories and hopes for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dual Health and Life Coach Certification With HCI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coaching is a great career in which you can help others, while also learning how to help your own personal growth. Health Coach Institute\u2019s dual health and life coaching certification program is designed to accommodate your schedule. Join our Become a Health Coach program<\/a> and begin coaching in as early as six month. If you are already a coach and want to advance your skills, check out HCI\u2019s Pathway program<\/a>. Feel free to get in touch with one of our clarity coaches directly, by calling 1-800-303-2399<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Friendships are essential for living a happy and healthy life. Here are eight ways to keep yours strong.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9004111223112730,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[164],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9004111222118800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellness"],"yoast_head":"\nTop Habits to Cultivate Stronger Friendships<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Good relationships are essential for living your most holistic and happy life. 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While we often prioritize our romantic relationships, it <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full\/10.1177\/0265407519861152\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">has been scientifically proven that strong friendships are majorly important<\/a> for a well-rounded, happy life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-why-are-friendships-important\">Why Are Friendships Important?<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>As social beings, we humans are wired for a connection. Here are some other important reasons you need friends in your life: <\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Friends are good for our health<\/strong>. According to a 2006 study on social ties and health, <a href=\"https:\/\/ajph.aphapublications.org\/doi\/10.2105\/AJPH.2006.093633\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">having strong social ties can improve mental health<\/a>. They <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3821778\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">can also help lower your BMI and prolong your life<\/a>. They make us feel happier and less alone in the world\u2014like we\u2019ve got someone in our corner.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Friends offer support and encouragement<\/strong>. Friends offer a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, share in our celebrations, and make the tough times a lot lighter.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Friends teach us important skills.<\/strong> Our relationships with our friends help us develop a wealth of life skills like loyalty, respect, openness and good communication.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Friends can make us better people.<\/strong> Having friends who are a positive influence can actually motivate you to make favorable strides in your own life. Friends can encourage you to think bigger, stretch yourself, and inspire you to reach your goals.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Friends can keep you accountable.<\/strong> Having people in your life you can check in with when you want to make progress in your life can encourage you to follow through with your goals.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><strong>Friends make life more enjoyable.<\/strong> Playwright Tennessee Williams said it pretty well when he said, \u201cLife is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends we choose.\u201d Quite simply, friends make life more vibrant and exciting\u2014they help us live our better-than-ever lives.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-8-habits-to-keep-your-friendships-strong\">8 Habits to Keep Your Friendships Strong<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Now that the case has been made for why those friendships of yours are so important, let\u2019s talk about how to keep \u2018em strong. Because let\u2019s face it: in this fast-paced, online world, it can be hard to tend to friendships.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>It all comes down to habits. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/5-habits-of-successful-holistic-health-coaches\/\">Healthy habits are the foundation upon which healthy lives are created<\/a>. Without further ado, here are eight habits you can embrace to help your friendships thrive.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-1-touch-base-weekly\">1. Touch Base Weekly<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Even if it\u2019s a simple text conversation, make a point to reach out to your closest friends once a week to find out how they\u2019re doing and let them know you\u2019re thinking of them. A simple \u201cHow\u2019s your week going?\u201d can go a long way toward making someone feel thought of and appreciated.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-2-schedule-regular-hangouts\">2. Schedule Regular Hangouts<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>The best way to make things happen is to plan for them, so try planning your next few get-togethers in advance. Compare calendars and try to nail down your next three to four get-togethers (or more, if you\u2019re feeling super motivated!). You don\u2019t need to know what you\u2019ll be doing, but getting it on the calendar will ensure you\u2019ve booked the time. If your friend lives out of state, this still applies! Schedule some FaceTime dates to have a virtual coffee or happy hour together.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-3-experience-something-new-together\">3. Experience Something New Together<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Been dying to visit that new museum in town, see that live band or join a book club? Ask your friend to do it with you! If you can\u2019t do it in person, find a virtual experience you can do together (training to become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/health-coach\/\">Health Coach<\/a>, perhaps?) and then compare notes.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-4-embrace-their-interests\">4. Embrace Their Interests<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Does your friend love horror movies? Relish a sumptuous meal? Harbor a seahorse obsession? Plan an outing or send them a gift that shows them you know them and see them.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-5-be-vulnerable-with-them\">5. Be Vulnerable With Them<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Is there something you\u2019ve been struggling with? A challenge you\u2019re not sure how to tackle? Opening up to your friends about your personal challenges and struggles can deepen your friendship, help you work through problems you\u2019re facing, establish trust, and offer a different perspective on whatever issue you\u2019re faced with. So go ahead and let your friend see the perfect imperfectness that is you.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-6-do-something-special-just-because\">6. Do Something Special \u201cJust Because\u201d<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Commemorating birthdays is great and something you should definitely do, but doing something special for a friend on an average day is an unexpected surprise your friend will remember forever. How about sending a care package with your friend\u2019s favorite things in it? It doesn\u2019t have to be anything crazy expensive for it to mean a lot. You could go old school and make a mix of their favorite music. Or you could pick up a few odds and ends from super affordable stores like T.J. Maxx, Marshall\u2019s or Dollar Tree, and create a meaningful package of goodies on the cheap that\u2019s sure to put a big ole smile on your friend\u2019s face.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-7-tackle-a-health-challenge-together\">7. Tackle a Health Challenge Together<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>If you and your friend have similar health goals, buddy up and tackle them together. If you both want to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/what-are-the-best-mindfulness-activities\/\">work on your mindfulness<\/a>, for instance, you might commit to a 30-day meditation series. If you want to cleanse your body and tone up, consider doing a detox or workout challenge together. Having an accountability partner will make the process a lot more fun while giving you the motivation you need to see it through to the end.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} -->\n<h3 id=\"h-8-send-them-snail-mail\">8. Send Them Snail Mail<\/h3>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Who doesn\u2019t love getting mail? No one. The answer is no one. Pick up a card or grab a sheet of notebook paper and let your friend know how much they mean to you and why you\u2019re grateful for their friendship. Bonus points if you share some of your favorite memories and hopes for the future.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2 id=\"h-dual-health-and-life-coach-certification-with-hci\">Dual Health and Life Coach Certification With HCI<\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p>Coaching is a great career in which you can help others, while also learning how to help your own personal growth. Health Coach Institute\u2019s dual health and life coaching certification program is designed to accommodate your schedule. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/programs\/health-coach\/\">Join our Become a Health Coach program<\/a> and begin coaching in as early as six month. If you are already a coach and want to advance your skills, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/programs\/pathway\/\">HCI\u2019s Pathway program<\/a>. Feel free to get in touch with one of our clarity coaches directly, by calling <a href=\"tel:+18003032399\">1-800-303-2399<\/a>.<\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9004111222118800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9004111222118800"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9004111222118800\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9004111223112731,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9004111222118800\/revisions\/9004111223112731"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9004111223112730"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9004111222118800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9004111222118800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.healthcoachinstitute.com\/articles\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9004111222118800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}