5 research-backed reasons why you need work friends (and how to go about making some)

5 research-backed reasons why you need work friends (and how to go about making some)5 research-backed reasons why you need work friends (and how to go about making some)Finding work friends to chat with can boost yur happiness, health, and productivity and have a big impact on your work and personal life. With a few tips on how to make the right approach, forming those new relationships can be pleasant and easy.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhether your job is your life or just something you do to pay the rent, making space for some socializing at work can help you have a more fulfilling experience. Professionals who have friendly connections at work are50% more likely to report job satisfactionand are seven times more likely to enjoy a stronger connection to what they do.So, despite what your teachers told you at school,chatting with colleaguesmakes you more productiveThe b est way to build friendships at work will depend on your personality and on yourworkplace culture. Having lunch away from your desk is an excellent way to demonstrate that youre open for a chat or even to grab a bite with someone. Try to ask open questions, and to remain open and supportive if somebody else wants to join in. This can create a great vibe and encourage new people to say Hi to you.Connecting with colleagues online is another great way to show interest. Everybody shows a different side of themselves on social media. And interacting with a colleague after work on Instagram or Twitter can give you a common bond to build on when you get back to the office.We noticed that workplace friendships seem to be undervalued these days so weve created a new visual guide to making friends at work. It looks at how best to send those friendly smoke signals, and how to avoid seeming intrusive or needy.Work friends can make all the difference in a new environment, on a tough day and thr oughout your career. Follow our tips to begin cultivating a better way to work.Courtesy of CashNetUSAThis article first appeared on Cashnetusa.com.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people