A critical part of filling your personal and work lives with happiness is cultivating strong relationships.
Some of these ties can be deep, meaningful, and longer-term relationships, but they can also be more casual and occasional connections, which are still effective at lifting moods and helping you feel satisfied in life.
Research at the University of British Columbia found that when people had greater numbers of acquaintances (even if they were more distant connections), they were happier. Further, studies by the University of Chicago found even small talk with strangers contributed to happiness. In other words, social relationships are great, but it’s also possible to benefit from social interactions.
Work is an important context for increasing your social interactions. If you’ve curtailed your visits to your regular exercise class or scheduling more deliveries of your groceries and basic needs, your opportunities for casual interactions are likely reduced. To fill this gap, your work colleagues may be an important source to enhance your social well-being.
Whether you’re working remotely or at an office alongside coworkers, there are ways to create opportunities for connection through casual conversation.
Stay accessible
An opportune way to strike up a casual conversation is simply to be in the right place at the right time. If you’re in the office, take the circuitous route to the coffee pot so you can run into people. Work in your work café or atrium so you’re present, visible, and accessible for conversation. And instead of scrolling on your phone, strike up a conversation while you’re in line at the office coffee bar.
For people who aren’t in an office, be intentional about connecting at the beginning of a meeting. Log on a couple minutes early and, rather than multi-tasking until the agenda begins, turn on your camera and check in with your colleagues about their weekend or a recently wrapped project.