Friendship networks are shrinking every seven years by losing about half of our friends. The average person hasn't made a new friend in the last five years, despite the desire to do so. Making new friends requires initiative and intentionality, not relying on organic connections. People who believe in luck for making friends tend to be lonelier, while those who see it as an effort are less lonely. Time scarcity and social anxiety are major barriers to making friends. People tend to underestimate how much others like them due to a cognitive bias known as the liking gap. Overcoming anxiety involves assuming that people like you and engaging with new people despite discomfort. Avoiding overt and covert behaviors is crucial in initiating friendships. For those with social anxiety, avoiding safety behaviors can lead to more engaging interactions and greater likability. Mutual fear of rejection often hinders the formation of friendships, as both parties may act defensively, misinterpreting each other's intentions.
Loneliness is a far more common and far more serious problem than we think. It affects one in five Americans, and takes a toll on our bodies and minds. To thrive we need to several types of social interactions - both casual and more intimate.
With the help of US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy; Harvard Divinity School fellow Casper ter Kuile; and friendship expert Marisa Franco; Dr Laurie Santos looks at how loneliness might be affecting you or someone you know, and what science-back steps you can take to increase your circle of friends.
For further reading:
Vivek Murthy - Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World.
Marisa Franco - Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends as an Adult.
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