87. People hate small talk, so why do we keep engaging in it?

You can’t just bring people together and expect connection to happen. You need to facilitate it…

connection, relationship-building, communicationJessica GiffordMay 1, 2023small talk, networking, minglingComment

86. Why you (probably) need more touch

Physical touch has a big impact on health and well-being, and most of us are suffering from touch deprivation.

connection, relationships, well-beingJessica GiffordApril 24, 2023touch Comments

85. Reduce social anxiety or discomfort in 2 seconds

If you’ve ever felt socially anxious, awkward, or like your emotional state gets in the way of connecting, this post is for you.

connection, communication, mental healthJessica GiffordApril 17, 2023self-talk Comments

84. Does social media help or harm connection?

Social media has changed the way we connect, but is it for the better, or worse? Well, it depends…

connection, friendship, mental healthJessica GiffordApril 10, 2023social mediaComment

83. Thinking outside the box to address mental health needs

With rates of depression and anxiety continuing to rise, we need to look at creative solutions to help address mental health needs. This post highlights one such solution … the friendship bench movement.

82. Gamify connection with these 3 ideas.

Is developing deeper friendships one of your goals? There’s a simple rule to increase follow through on goals: make it fun if you want it done! This post describes 3 great ways to gamify connection.

connection, friendship, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordMarch 27, 2023gamify Comments

81. Stay socially connected to avoid cognitive decline. Reach out.

Staying socially active doesn’t just feel good—it protects your brain. This post explores the surprising link between connection and cognition, and offers simple tips for reaching out to others.

connection, friendship, well-beingJessica GiffordMarch 20, 2023cognitive declineComment

Friendship Tip #80. Practice warm greetings to connect instantly

When it comes to building connection, some moments carry more weight than others. This post shares what moments to focus on to create liking.

connection, communication, friendshipJessica GiffordMarch 13, 2023first impressions, welcome, greetingComment

Friendship Tip #79: Find commonalities to connect instantly.

We tend to like people who are like us … whether it’s a shared birthday, love of cats, or favorite band. Learn the psychology behind finding commonalities and how you can use it to connect quickly.

connection, relationship-building, relationshipsJessica GiffordMarch 6, 2023common ground, commonalilitiesComment

78. Eye contact can help or harm connection

The gaze, the glare, and the gape … eye contact can make us feel seen, heard, and loved, or it can make us feel creeped out, squirmy, or fearful. An artist’s exhibit and a science experiment demonstrate the surprising power of eye contact.

connection, communication, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordFebruary 27, 2023body language, eye contactComment

77. Expect to be liked ... and you'll be more likable!

Research shows that our expectations of how others feel about us becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we expect people not to like us, then they are less likely to. What would happen if you started expecting people to like you?

connection, friendship, relationship-building, well-beingJessica GiffordFebruary 20, 2023social anxiety, social awkwardnessComment

76. Spend time alone: it improves relationships, mental health, and productivity

When we think about strengthening connection, we usually think about spending time with other people, but time alone can improve the quality of our relationships, not to mention our well-being and productivity.

connection, mental health, productivityJessica GiffordFebruary 13, 2023productivity, solitude, alone time Comments

75. Why belonging matters and how to build it

Having a sense of belonging leads to better outcomes all around, but how do you generate a sense of belonging? One way is through providing mentorship…

connection, belonging, productivityJessica GiffordFebruary 6, 2023mentoringComment

74. Don't try to change people ... it doesn't work!

We’ve all wished someone in our life would just change (people can be frustrating)! But convincing, lecturing, or telling people what to do rarely works. Try these approaches instead.

communication, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordJanuary 30, 2023lecturing, nagging, behavior changeComment

73. How helping others helps you

Feeling helpless and overwhelmed by the state of the world? Volunteering can be a powerful way to reclaim a sense of purpose, connection, and agency—and make a real difference.

connection, happinessJessica GiffordJanuary 23, 2023volunteer, givingComment