THE BENEFITS OF TALKING TO STRANGERS

In everyday life we ​​easily establish casual bonds with people we meet on the street, classmates, even with people you just met. 

"Subscribe for next post notification: https://www.latestfoto.com/p/subscrib.html?m=1 "

These daily encounters are an extremely important source of emotional support and perhaps even for our mental health. 

Science writer Melinda Blau and psychology professor Karen L. Fingerman study the nature and effects of so-called weak ties that people have with others throughout life. 

"Subscribe for next post notification: https://www.latestfoto.com/p/subscrib.html?m=1 "

Karen Fingerman in an interview noted that the casual connections that we encounter with people in the course of everyday life can generate a sense of belonging to a community, something like “a basic human need”.

The encounters with strangers in the course of life have filled our days with advice, information, necessary help and, of course, most important of all in this time of semi-social isolation, they have reminded us how important relationships are to our mental health. 

"Subscribe for next post notification: https://www.latestfoto.com/p/subscrib.html?m=1 "

From family, friends, even casual contacts that helps us maintain a positive perspective in difficult and stressful times.

Additionally, Karen Fingerman's research has shown that people who are more socially integrated are also more physically active. 

"Subscribe for next post notification: https://www.latestfoto.com/p/subscrib.html?m=1 "

In her book, she talks about the importance of moving and exercising with strangers, to help your brain, because conversations are more stimulating than with people you know well. 

Of course, there are many activities on social media that foster “weaker ties” and promote greater life satisfaction as well as better emotional and physical health than ties formed with close family and friends.

"Subscribe for next post notification: https://www.latestfoto.com/p/subscrib.html?m=1 "

And finally "the more weak ties you have in your life, the greater the association with positive feelings and there will be fewer depressive feelings, obviously it is not true that close ties are the only ones that older adults need." And not just older adults but all adults. 

Unfortunately, COVID has restricted the ability to keep a large number of casual connections active, which is why many people created group email networks as an ongoing support system when faced with isolation that seemed increasingly bleak.

"Subscribe for next post notification: https://www.latestfoto.com/p/subscrib.html?m=1 "