Friendships don't just happen. We have to set aside time to regularly reach out to people, reconnect with old friendships, awaken new ones, check-in, and find time to hang out.

Don't just show up. Say 'hello when you get there. Let go of the myth that friendship ha...

Making more friends in adulthood will take some deliberate effort. One challenge may be to put yourself out there, as it can trigger fear of rejection.

You may engage in two types of avoidance to prevent you from making new friends.

1. You may practise 'o...

One study found that volunteers who thought they were liked shared more about themselves, disagreed less, and had a more positive attitude. Other research found that, on average, strangers like us more than we realise.

These studies remind us to go into new social events a...

Once you've initiated some new contact, the next challenge is turning them into regular friendships.

It is easier to sign up for activities where you have multiple opportunities to connect with the same people continually. If you want to make friends, you should commit to showing u...

The busyness of many people's adult lives can cause them to quickly lose contact with friends.

One study found that people had lost touch with about half of their closest friends over a period of seven years. What's more is that we are often losing friends faster than ...

• Find an event. Sign up for something ongoing (such as a book club or a hiking group) and commit to showing up.
• Prepare yourself to interact. Do something to put you in a good mood. Think about the strengths you bring - if you're funny, deep, insigh...