On April 8, 2024, I discovered the joy of chatting when I moved to a small village in France 15 years ago.
The locals chatted with everyone, from the baker to the town clerk, and it was a cultural shift for me coming from urban North America.
Research suggests that talking to strangers can have positive effects on our bodies and minds, referred to as “vitamin S” by social psychologist Paul van Lange and his team at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor at Brigham Young University, emphasizes the importance of social connections for overall well-being.
While most studies focus on close relationships, having diverse interactions with acquaintances and strangers can also boost physical health.
Studies have shown that having varied social interactions leads to better physical health outcomes.
Despite the decrease in time spent socializing over the years, evidence suggests that diverse interactions lead to improved well-being and longer life expectancy.
The Benefits of Connecting
Engaging with strangers has been linked to improved mood and a greater sense of belonging, both contributing to a longer, healthier life.
Research shows that small interactions with strangers, like chatting with a barista, can positively impact one’s sense of community and well-being.
Talking to bus drivers, complimenting strangers, and saying hello to passersby have all been shown to elevate mood and life satisfaction.
Positive social interactions can have long-term health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system.
Interacting with strangers and acquaintances can have direct positive effects on our physiology, such as reducing inflammation and speeding up cardiovascular system recovery from stress.
Friendliness and social connections within a community are associated with lower rates of strokes, diabetes, and better overall health outcomes.
Regular interactions with strangers can lead to feeling more connected and happier, benefiting introverts and extroverts alike.
How Do You Start?
While many people are hesitant to talk to strangers, repeated exposure and simple acts of kindness can help overcome these fears and build confidence in social interactions.
Acting more extroverted, engaging in conversations with strangers, and participating in social activities can help introverts enjoy social interactions as much as extroverts do.
Overcoming the fear of talking to strangers requires repeated exposure and a willingness to step out of one’s comfort zone.
Sandstrom and her team found that a scavenger hunt game involving interactions with strangers helped participants overcome their fear of rejection and feel more confident in initiating conversations with new people.
Simple actions like putting down your phone and engaging with people in real life can lead to increased feelings of social connection and well-being.