Summary
The article discusses how adult life can strain friendships due to time pressures from work, family, and other commitments. It shares advice from experts on maintaining friendships by being transparent and creative in connecting with friends, emphasizing the importance of in-person interactions. Research highlighted in the article shows that strong friendships benefit our health and reduce loneliness.
Key Facts
- Many adults lose about half of their friends every seven years due to life changes.
- Major life events like marriage and family can make it difficult to maintain close friendships.
- Claire Cohen, a relationship expert, stresses the importance of being open and honest with friends.
- Maintaining friendships involves making an effort to include friends in everyday activities.
- A strong social network can reduce the risk of death by 45%, similar to the effects of diet and exercise.
- Dr. Marisa Franco notes that "relational loneliness" can occur even when we like the people we are around.
- In-person interactions are crucial to maintaining strong friendships, especially post-pandemic.
- The article emphasizes creativity and flexibility in making time for friends despite busy schedules.
