Did You Know Talking to Strangers Can Boost Our Happiness?

On your daily morning commute, would you rather retreat into your own thoughts and reflections, or strike up a conversation with a fellow traveler?

According to research by Nick Epley, a professor at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, we may be missing out on a simple yet powerful way to improve our well-being: talking to strangers.

Epley conducted a series of experiments investigating the impact of having a conversation with a fellow commuter on the way to work. When participants were asked to predict how striking up a conversation with a stranger would make them feel, most answered that it would be a lot less pleasant than sitting alone in solitude.

It turns out however, that the happiest travelers were those that engaged in conversation with other commuters. Epley replicated this experiment with commuters traveling in taxis and buses and the results all pointed to one conclusion.

These brief exchanges with strangers enrich our daily lives and are good for our health!

Of course, these brief encounters with strangers are not likely to turn a life of misery into one of bliss, but they can transform an activity such as the daily commute into something more pleasant.

We humans are social creatures, and connecting with others—even in small, casual encounters—can have a profound impact on our happiness.

So, the next time you order a latte ask the barista how she is.

When commuting to work in the morning, make conversation with the person sitting next to you.

Or, when standing in line at the grocery store ask the person in front of you about the new gluten free bread in her cart. Is it as good as it claims to be?

These strategies will move help you move towards connection and protection.

To your health and longevity!

Dr. Gill