RENTON, Wash., May 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Life's demands take us in so many different directions, too often friendships slip away. National New Friends, Old Friends Week, May 15-21, 2005, reminds us that there is no time like the present to take five minutes to revitalize our friendships. Classmates.com (www.classmates.com), a leader in online community-based networking, connects its 60 million members with friends and acquaintances from school, work and the military and provides a one-stop solution to quickly find, connect and stay in touch with friends.
"Social scientists have helped spread the word that friendship is pivotal to everyone's physical and mental health, as well as one's self-esteem, no matter where you are in life," said Dr. Jan Yager, founder of National New Friends, Old Friends Week. "We learn from and have fun with our friends; they help us stay young."
"Both quality friendships and time are in short supply for many people today. National New Friends, Old Friends week is a great opportunity to reflect and act upon the meaningful friendships we have enjoyed," said Michael Smith CEO and President of Classmates Online, Inc. "It's never too late to register for free Basic membership at Classmates.com, list yourself and search our entire database of 60 million members to find friends, even if you don't know their married name or where they live today."
Is there an old friend from grade school, high school or college that you'd like to try to find? How about someone you worked with or one of your military buddies? Sometimes the hardest part is taking that first step. But that first step can be easier than you think.
Five Tips for Making Time for Your Friends
(Adapted from Dr. Jan Yager's book Friendshifts(r): The Power of Friendship and How It Shapes Our Lives):
1. If you can't get together soon, commit to a time to get
together, even if it's weeks or months in the future.
2. Email, call, or get together for your birthdays so there
are at least two more times a year for you and your friend
to stay connected.
3. Call each other just to say hello and chat, not just to
share the big news, good or bad.
4. Combine meeting your friend with another task or activity.
Get together for lunch, to shop, volunteer, take a class or
exercise by going for a walk.
5. Consider friendship a key concern rather than a relationship
you'll get around to when you find the time. Find a way to
fit in your friends even if you only have time for a quick
phone call or e-mail.
The Classmates Online, Inc. logo can be found at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1385
About Classmates Online, Inc.
Classmates Online, Inc., founded in 1995 and based in Renton, WA, is a leader in online community-based networking. The company operates Classmates.com (www.classmates.com), connecting millions of members throughout the U.S. and Canada with friends and acquaintances from school, work and the military. Its Classmates International subsidiary also operates leading community-based networking sites in Sweden, through Klasstraffen Sweden AB (www.stayfriends.se), and in Germany, through StayFriends GmbH (www.stayfriends.de). Classmates Online is a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq:UNTD). For more information about United Online and its Internet subscription services, please visit www.untd.com.
About Dr. Jan Yager
Dr. Jan Yager is an award-winning author, sociologist, speaker, and teacher. She has written 25 nonfiction and fiction books, including Friendshifts: The Power of Friendship and How It Shapes Our Lives; 125 Ways to Meet the Love of Your Life; and Who's That Sitting at My Desk? Her areas of expertise include relationships and work. Dr. Yager has been interviewed on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View and National Public Radio. Find out more about Dr. Yager and National New Friends, Old Friends Week at www.friendshifts.com.
NOTE: Real-life friendship reconnection stories are available for media upon request.