Research suggests we undervalue the bonding and enjoyment we get from hearing someone's voice.

We've all had the urge to reach out to someone -- perhaps someone we haven't communicated with in awhile and wondered whether texting, emailing, or calling would be best. A study reported on in the Greater Good journal suggests that there are reasons to pick up the phone and say hello.

In the study, participants predicted how awkward or enjovable it would be to have a conversation with a friend they hadn't been in touch with for at least two years, and how close they'd feel if they connected by phone versus email or text. They also reported which medium they'd prefer to use. The results showed that, although most people anticipated talking by phone would be more uncomfortable for them, those who spoke on the phone were happier with the exchange and felt closer to the other person.

"We think it's going to be awkward to talk to somebody, but that turns out not to be the case," says lead author Amit Kumar. "Instead people form significantly stronger bonds when they re talking on the phone than when communicating over email or text."

Kumar continued, "There are linguistic cues that come through someone's voice that suggest a feeling and thinking mind. And since connecting with somebody means getting a little closer to their mind, voice-based communication makes that easier or more likely.'

When is the last time you reached out to a person you hadn't connected with in a while, and what medium did you use? To join the conversation, click on "comments" above.

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Giving, receiving or even witnessing gratitude has significant benefits.   Numerous studies have found that having a grateful outlook, “counting one’s blessings” and expressing gratitude to others can have positive effects on our emotional health as well as on our relationships.

Apparently, gratitude is the gift that keeps on giving. It has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and even generate physical benefits such as lower blood pressure. Now it turns out that even being an observer of a gratitude episode can be beneficial. Watching an act of gratitude between two people can cause an observer to feel more warmth and affinity toward them both. 

The studies on gratitude don’t indicate how often we ought to express gratitude or how best to put it into practice. One suggestion is to be specific when expressing gratitude: Instead of just saying “thank you,” say what you are thankful for, and why.

Many experts believe that a small dose of gratitude, once a day, is enough to have a positive impact. To develop an enduring gratitude habit, try linking your gratitude practice to an already ingrained routine or do it at a specific time, such as first thing in the morning.

When is the last time you gave, received or witnessed gratitude and how did you feel afterward? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

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Have you performed a random act of kindness lately?  In a study published in the Journal d Experimental Psychology, researchers found that when you perform a random act of kindness it’s easy to underestimate how much the recipient will appreciate it. And that miscalculation holds many of us back from doing nice things for others more often. 

We know that kindness can boost well-being, writes New York Times reporter Catherine Pearson. But researchers who study the subject hope these new findings will strengthen the scientific case for making these types of gestures more often.

“I have found that kindness can be a really hard sell,” said Tara Cousineau, a clinical psychologist, meditation teacher and author of The Kindness Cure: How The Science of Compassion Can Heal Your Heart and Your World.  "People desire kindness yet often feel inconvenienced by the thought of being kind.” 

On the other hand, even the smallest gestures do get noticed. So if you are not already in the habit of performing random kind acts — or they do not come naturally to you — begin by telling people what you appreciate about them.  Also consider what you like to do, what skills and talents you have, and how you might turn those into small offerings for other people.

How did you feel the last time you performed a small act of kindness, and how did you feel the last time someone did this for you? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

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