Want to Feel Happier and Less Stressed? Talk to a Friend

Have you talked to a friend today? A recent study published in Communication Research suggests that people who engage in meaningful conversations may be happier and experience better mental health. 

Researcher Jeffrey Hall identified seven types of communication commonly found in social interactions: Catching up, meaningful talk, joking, showing care, listening, valuing others and their opinions, and offering sincere compliments. The researchers instructed over 900 participants to engage in any one of the seven types of talk on a given day. Some participants performed the tasks via online messages or phone calls, but most spoke in person. At the end of the day, the participants reported how good or bad they felt, as measured by feelings of stress, connection, well-being, and loneliness.

The results showed:

• Those who engaged in meaningful conversations reported higher levels of happiness and well-being compared to those who engaged in small talk.
• Engaging in meaningful conversations may help individuals to feel more understood and validated, which can lead to improved self-esteem and a greater sense of belonging.
• While meaningful conversations have the most impact, engaging in any of the seven communication types at least once a day was enough to improve well-being. In particular, it increased feelings of connection and decreased stress.

While one conversation was enough to increase positive feelings, more than one was even more effective. And while conversations by text or phone call were helpful, in-person conversations yielded the best results. The final takeaway:  Stay intentional about maintaining your relationships!

​Have you had a meaningful conversation with a friend lately, and how did you feel afterward? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

Learn more about creating a habit around masterful communication with our online learning courses awarded International Gold for Best Hybrid Learning of 2022. 

---