Friends are an important part of life. They’re there for you during life’s ups and downs and celebrate your accomplishments and console you when you’re sad. Having friends who talk with you regularly help with your overall happiness and can assist you in figuring out solutions to personal problems.

But it’s important that while your friends comfort, console, and converse with you, that you also put in work to maintain good relations with your friend group. Friendship is not a one-way street, and the amount that you get in a friendship should equate to the amount that you give in one as well.

Here are some tips on how to maintain good relationships with friends, because even though we may love and adore our companions, nobody is perfect, and we all need reminders on how to be a good friend.

Listen to your friends. This is important not only for what they are saying, but also how they are saying it. Are they tell you that they are OK, but their tone leads you to believe otherwise? If you notice that a friend may be hiding their true feelings, find a way to cheer them up.

Make plans and invite everyone. No one likes being left out. Even if you’re planning an activity that you know one person will definitely not enjoy, invite them anyway, as they’d may like an opportunity to just hang out and socialize without partaking.

Send gifts spontaneously. Sometimes we all get a little busy and...