tl;dr Franco offers four tips, based on her research. 1. Shower them with (platonic) affection Remind them you are grateful to know them. These simple acts p

tl;dr Franco offers four tips, based on her research. 1. Shower them with (platonic) affection Remind them you are grateful to know them. These simple acts provide a layer of security in the relationship. It shows your friends that you genuinely care for them and lets them know it's safe to invest in your friendship. 2. Lavish them with your skills and talents Being generous with your friends — sharing your time, attention or resources with them — is an easy way to nurture your friendships 3. Spill your struggles, joys ... and guilty pleasures Think about how good it feels to tell a friend you secretly like a trashy TV show and hear them respond "me too!" We feel a deeper connection to our friends when our vulnerability is met with validation and support. 4. Don't sweep your disagreements under the rug It's hard to deal with conflict in friendships, says Franco. But being able to deal with conflict with friends in a healthy, constructive way can strengthen your friendships