But, using social media doesn’t always mean we have more friends in real life. Remember, beating social anxiety takes time and effort. With the right mindset and tools, you can handle anxiety in relationships. Being open and honest is key to deepening connections.
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Keeping strong social connections is key for our well-being. Good friendships boost our happiness and mental health. Friends can make us feel better, offer support, and lower stress and loneliness. Relationships create a sense of belonging and purpose through deeper connection. Unfortunately, people get caught up with the business of their own lives, and it might be harder to maintain these relationships in person.
- This certainly doesn’t mean you need to feel the same about everything or agree with them inauthentically.
- We don’t have to share the same taste in music, favorite color, or ice-cream flavor.
- When you feel positively about someone, let them know!
- It’s impossible to simply close off one aspect of yourself and experience others.
- Whether it’s industry trends, hobbies, or career goals, shared interests can spark engaging conversations and build rapport.
Create Lasting Memories Through Shared Experiences
Ask questions and show you care about what others say. Ultimately, to allow meaningful relationships to come to us, we have to get to know ourselves and start to feel better about who we are. We have to believe that we are worthy of meaningful connections. In my own work, I have invited diverse groups of people to try the “fast friends” technique.
What do you need to learn and who has that information? If that still scares you too, here are a few easy ways to get started. A tried-and-true way to do this is to think https://catherinepass.wordpress.com/2026/03/26/talkliv-reviews/ about things you like to do and then go do those things. Take that boxing class you’ve always wanted to try, check out trivia night at your local bar, or go work in a different coffee shop than your usual spot.
Volunteering benefits the community and provides opportunities for connection and social interaction. Pursuing hobbies and interests through clubs or groups is an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals. Whether it’s a book club, a sports team, or a volunteering opportunity, these settings provide a natural environment for forming connections based on shared interests and experiences. My husband Dave can make friends and connections very easily. I often tease him that the moment he talks to someone new he gets invited on a sports trip of some kind with them. Social connection is the size and diversity of one’s social network and roles, the functions these relationships serve and their positive or negative qualities.
In the grand theater of life, we’re all striving to nail that leading role—the one that forms deep, meaningful connections with the rest of the cast. But let’s face it, mastering the art of connection is not always easy. At the end of the day, consider who might be there for you to offer you support in times of need.
Managing Post-pandemic Feelings
Natalie Kerr, Ph.D., is a social psychologist and award-winning professor at James Madison University, where she studies social connection and loneliness. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life. Not every meaningful interaction has to be a huge connection. A sweet exchange with your barista, a thoughtful work email, and a nod of solidarity with a stranger at the grocery store can all make you feel more seen and heard. Saying things out loud that you appreciate about people in your life matters more than you think.
Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the United States. Adapted from an article on building connections published by The Berkeley Well-Being Institute. Choosing the right health and well-being coaching program is a deeply personal decision—especially when it’s tied to one’s journey of healing and growth. As a cancer survivor and now a health and wellness coach supporting cancer patients, Ed Jones wanted the best training to serve his clients with expertise and …
Consider volunteering, joining a group with shared interests, or hosting gatherings in your home. Valentine’s Day isn’t just for couples—it can be a time to celebrate the love and support found in friendships and community. Building a strong network of people around you can help combat loneliness and remind you that you’re not navigating this stage of life alone. Many of us think that in order to have a meaningful interaction, we need to have a deep and emotional talk. And sure, that’s one way to do it, but a meaningful connection could also be a simple conversation that left you feeling a little more human. Or a nonverbal interaction—like playing a game, hiking, walking, boating, or even hugging—where you shared a real connection with those around you.
This technique involves having people take turns answering questions that become increasingly more personal (much like the technique used in Kardas’ research). When people gather with the intention of engaging in deep conversation, the social norms change, allowing people to be more open and authentic than they typically are. The fast-friends technique is proven to facilitate social connection and even reduce prejudice among different ethnic groups. Consider asking a friend—or group of friends—to try it out. These genuine moments can actually soothe our systems, boost our moods, and strengthen our relationships.
Expressing gratitude for others’ kindnesses, or congratulating them when they share good news about their own lives also have research-backed benefits. Self-disclosure can also be a method for validating others’ experiences, letting them know that they are not alone in feeling the way they feel. Validation means showing someone that you take their perspective seriously and respect the meaning they’ve made about their own experiences. This is especially important when someone discloses something personal and emotional. They help celebrate good times and support you when things are tough.
