Spend time with friends it’s good for the soul.
But, like any relationship, it takes effort to nurture and maintain friendships. A good way to strengthen your bond? Make a activity together.
“By spending time together on a date night, you all have the opportunity to be your authentic selves, learn more about each other, and create new memories together,” Dr. Traci Williams, PsyD, ABPP, CFT-I, tells TODAY.com. “Meeting regularly brings you together, strengthens your emotional connection, and creates trust and security in your friendship. »
Sarah F. O’BrienLCSW, LCSW-C, CCATP, CTMH, agree with this idea, emphasizing that devoting time, pursuing activities and participating in hobby together strengthens closeness and security in relationships. “If you want to feel connected to your friends, it’s important to spend time doing things together face to face,” she says. “It’s difficult to build, develop, or maintain a relationship if you never do anything together, or if you do the same thing and never engage in new experiences and conversations.”
Along the same lines, Williams says that friendships that move from surface level to depth and meaning are intentional. “It means you all make an effort to stay in touch and see each other regularly,” she says. To plan and host successful dates with friends, Williams urges people to keep the following guidelines in mind.
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Schedule time with your friends in your calendar
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At the end of a meeting with friends, agree on another day to meet up
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Be mindful of everyone’s budgets when planning a get-together with friends
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When going out with friends, try to stay in the moment
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Minimize distractions and silent notifications on your phone and smartwatch
Now let’s get to the good stuff. Keep reading to discover 35 fun things to do with friends.
Fun Things to Do with Friends
Volunteer together
Helping others helps you yourself and also strengthens your friendship. “Spend time with your friends giving back,” says Williams. “Whether it’s building a house or serving food to unhoused people, you’ll find meaning and connection by volunteering in your community. » Who knows, you might even make more friends while you’re at it.
Swap clothes
“Since you and your friends are almost the same size, swapping clothes at someone’s house is like shopping, for free,” Sarah F. O’Brien, LCSW, LCSW-C, CCATP, CTMH, tells TODAY.com. Another variation: “You can also exchange household items. »
Plan an at-home spa day
Invite a friend, put on some soothing music, and let the spa day begin. “It’s a great way to bond with a friend and also relax and practice self-care amidst the stresses you might feel on a daily basis,” Jennifer Rollin, MSW, LCSW-C, psychotherapist at The Eating Disorders Center, tells TODAY.com. said. Not to mention that store-bought masks and nail polishes are much more affordable than…
