Making friends in middle age may seem like a difficult task. Your kids may be out of the house and you are no longer surrounded by other parents to possibly connect with. However, developing and cultivating friends is not only important for your emotional health, but most likely your physical health as well. According to a report from the Harvard School of Public Health featured on MSNBC, a study of 2800 women with breast cancer indicated that women with no close friends were four times more likely to die than women with 10 or more friends.
Step 1
Find places to make new friends. You need to get involved in social activities if you want to make new friends. Some possible places to meet new people include cooking classes, the gym, volunteer organizations and church groups.
Step 2
Look for individuals your own age. People in middle age will make good new friends since they can share similar experiences with you and be in the same place in life.
Step 3
Get in a dating mindset. "Psychology Today" suggests that making new friends in middle age is much like finding a date. Think of openers, such as, "I love that dress, where did you get it?" or "Have you volunteered here for awhile?" You'll have to be brave and ask for the person's phone number or email address after conversing.
Step 4
Make time for your new friend. If you want to make new friends when you are older, you need to put in an effort. Email or call the person often and arrange to meet for coffee. Coffee is good because it allows you both to keep the meeting as short or long as you would like.
Step 5
Walk away if you are not feeling the connection. Although you should give the new person a chance, you should break things off if your personalities are not meshing, suggests "Psychology Today."
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