“When we turn toward avoidance, we turn away from healthier connections,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, PhD, clinical psychologist and friendship expert.

“We talk a lot about how challenging long-distance romantic relationships can be, and we don't do enough to normalize how difficult it can be to maintain a long-distance friendship, both practically and emotionally,” Dr. Miriam Kirmayer says.

Research suggests social media can have negative effects on our sleep, can increase feelings of depression and anxiety, and may actually be contributing to loneliness, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

At the end of the day, if you often feel uncomfortable and unsupported around them, that’s a big sign that you’ve got yourself a frenemy. Still, there's a lot that you can do to shift the dynamic, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Most of us haven’t been taught that breaking up with a friend is worthy of sympathy, it leaves a lot of ambiguity around how we should feel when one is ending, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

“A sense of belonging and togetherness is a fundamental human need that we have,” says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer. So when you’re thinking about what you want more of in 2024, don’t forget about connection.

Here, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer shares how to build deeper bonds in your current relationships and start brand new ones that bring meaning, support, and a whole lot of value to your life.

It’s easy to shake off someone’s self-critical comment and move the conversation to lighter things. But if you never dig deeper, you won’t get to the root of those comments or help your bud feel understood, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

Maybe you were working on a project that ended or there was a major company restructuring — all things that can trigger layoffs, says Dr. Miriam Kirmayer.

If you feel like the good-time friend, that’s not always a bad thing, but see if you have any other connections that allow you to be vulnerable and feel more balanced, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer suggests.