Making Friends at Work: How to Have Stronger Work Relationships and Live a Happier Life

A happy workplace is where the people you work with are happy and supportive. And that happiness starts with making friends at work. Work friendships can be just as meaningful and fulfilling as any friendship outside of work – your buddies can help you through the toughest days and lift your spirits when you need it the most.

It’s no secret that having close relationships with romantic partners, siblings, and friends is important. After all, humans are social creatures, and we all need to feel a sense of belonging. Isolation and the lack of social connection can be a real problem, and that’s especially true in the workplace. In other words: Making friends at work can have a huge impact on how we work, and our relationship with what we do at work.

The workplace can be a source of stress, but it can also be a place to make new friends and build strong relationships. Everyone knows the feeling of being the new kid, but did you know that studies show that having close work relationships can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction and employee engagement?

The University of North Carolina surveyed 8,000 employees and the results showed that those with strong relationships with their co-workers had higher self-reported levels of job satisfaction, morale and overall happiness. It’s like they say in the hit TV show Friends, “No-one really does it alone.”

But what if there’s something else going on that’s even more powerful than having good relationships with co-workers? According to Dr. Robert Waldinger, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, “The people who had the warmest connections with other people weren’t just happier, they stayed healthier longer.”

Waldinger dives into the results of this study and other studies in his new book The Good Life: Ten Lessons for Making Your Life Better (and Getting Along Better With Others). In it he shares his insight on the importance of close emotional relationships and how it can lead to a happier and more fulfilled life.

Waldinger’s findings were echoed in a recent Gallup poll, which concluded that having close work relationships can be a key factor in leading a happier and healthier life. It discovered that only 20% of American workers have a “best friend at work” – someone they can confide in about their personal life. Unfortunately, even that number has decreased since 2019, particularly amongst workers under 35, leading to a drop in engaged workers.

These stats are a stark reminder of how essential it is to make meaningful connections with your colleagues. It might be hard to reach out at times, but it’s worth it – after all, a workplace is a place where friendships can blossom and unforgettable moments can be born!

So, don’t be like the Grinch who stole Christmas in the workplace. Research proves that having friends at work can make your workday more enjoyable and help you stay healthy. A great way to start is by reaching out to a co-worker – whether it’s to grab coffee, ask for advice or just shoot the breeze. Who knows, you may just make a work BFF (Best Friend Forever)!

What can HR do to turn this around? It’s time to bring the fun back to the workplace. From team building activities to fun incentives, there are plenty of ways to increase engagement and make employees feel like a valued part of the team. After all, the workplace should be a place where people can form strong, meaningful connections, just like the ones you would find in a close-knit family or group of friends.

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