How One Conversation With Friends Per Day Can Help Your Mental Health

 

• A study published in Communication Research finds talking to friends even for short periods can help your mental health.
• Discussing mental health has increasingly become normalised say experts, which can help people prioritise their well-being.
• Experts say a study like this shows how important human connection can be and how simple steps can help people preserve their mental health.

What the Study Found

The study included 900 participants from five university campuses before, during, and after the pandemic lockdowns. The participants were directed to engage in one of seven communication behaviors during a single day and then report back that night about their feelings of stress, connection, anxiety, well-being, loneliness, and the quality of their day. The seven behaviors included:

• Catching up
• Meaningful talk
• Joking around
• Showing care
• Listening
• Valuing others and their opinions
• Offering sincere compliments

The study found that it did not matter which of the behaviours were practiced. It was the act of intentionally reaching out to a friend in general that had the impact.

Having a conversation had a directly positive effect on overall mood and behaviour.

 

The Importance of Mental Health

“Over the pandemic we saw a 25% increase in depression. The quantity of human connection was taken from us. Finding ways to come back to that, even in small ways, can be powerful,” said Gallagher.

Discussing mental health has increasingly become normalized say experts, which can help people prioritise their well-being. Experts say a study like this shows how important human connection can be and how simple steps can help people preserve their mental health.

“Mental health is something that everyone has and we’re just starting to realise that, especially with the pandemic. It affected everyone. This collective traumatic experience we had as a global community brings to the forefront how important mental health is and how much a part of daily life it is,” said Naomi Torres-Mackie, PhD, a clinical psychologist at Lenox Hill Hospital. “Something like this study is wonderful because it’s something a lot of us already do.”

 

Important Resources

Experts say conversations don’t have to be long or in-depth, instead, they say look for moments when you have time to reach out, even if it is not a lot of time.

“When we see these articles, we need to be intentional about following through and allowing it into our lives,” said Gallagher. “Call your friends in the car. Look for those small moments of connection. Use this as a way to be more intentional.”

It’s important to note that the study emphasised small, meaningful connections. It does not mean introverts have to go talk to a large crowd of people to benefit. Experts stress that finding some connection is key and that quality is more important than quantity.

Experts also say some people may feel intimidated by reaching out to people and that for some even minimal interaction may be challenging.

“Sometimes people talk themselves out of connections and that might come from a place of social anxiety or depression,” said Gallagher. “If you’re saying you do not need connection every day, just make sure that that is actually accurate and not just something that you have come to accept.”

 

Why Connection is Key to Health?

Connection, even on the smallest level, is something that is a basic human need, say experts.

“As human beings, we thrive in connection with others, not just on a psychological level but on a physiological level. Whether or not you’re an extrovert or an introvert or fall right in the middle, human connection is important. If you are someone who is more introverted, it may make reaching out and connecting a little bit more uncomfortable and that can serve as a roadblock,” said Torres-Mackie.

 

Source: Healthline - Written By: Meagan Drillinger

Edited By: Gillian Mohney

Fact Checked By: Dana K. Cassell