Looking for a way to be happier AND smarter? Try idle chit-chat. It's as effective as crossword puzzles.

One of the key points about happiness is that having strong social bonds is a critical – probably THE critical – element of a happy life.

Over and over, studies show that relationships with other people make us happy. The more friends we have, the more likely we are to be happy. Even short interactions with other people boost mood—and this is true, surprisingly, even for introverts. It's really important to work on your connections with other people.

Now it turns out that talking to other people not only makes you happier, it improves your memory and intellectual performance, as shown by a recent study.

So if you ever feel guilty spending ten minutes in idle conversation with a colleague or for talking on the phone with a friend, now you can chalk it up to brain exercise. It will make you happier AND smarter.

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I think I found this study through the great site Gimundo, but I'm not sure. I try to keep track of how I find different articles, so I can give credit when credit's due, but this time I'm not sure I retraced my steps properly.

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Comments

[Sharyn]

RE: "Even short interactions with other people boost mood." I think this is partly because we have to SLOW DOWN in the course of our busy lives to make a connection with other people. And it could be a chicken or egg thing - are we happier because we take the time to spend a few minutes in small talk, or do we spend a few minutes in small talk because, for what ever reason, we feel like we have the time to do it? Either way, it's a good thing.
Perhaps related to this,I realized the other day how I drive, eat, and talk more slowly when I'm in a happy mood. I already knew that happiness aided patience, but now I think that's because happiness slows me down!

As always, Gretchen, thanks for good stuff to think on!

[Heather at Grace303]

I am not sure how well this fits into the topic of social connections, but I think it does a little bit. Some work colleagues and I (all women) were talking yesterday about people with blonde hair and we all agreed that a woman in our office, Courtney, had really pretty blonde hair. It just so happened that today I received an unrelated email from Courtney, and I decided to call her and tell her about the hair comment. It really flattered her and made her afternoon. I was really glad that I shared it with her. It made me realize, when things like this happen, why not go out of your way to tell someone that they have been complimented by others? Or of course give direct compliments as well.

[Gretchen Rubin]

It always seems to me that a "behind the back" compliment is more sincere, so I try to go out of my way to let someone know about it. Do good, feel good -- it really works!

[Dark Sociologist]

It reminds me of this one study on a group of baby monkeys and how social bonds affect their development.

One group was given a "mother" made out of cloth that they were able to cuddle with. These monkeys developed into normal, fully functional monkeys

The other group was given a "mother" made out of wire, which was uncomfortable to cuddle with and therefore they didn't form any attachments to. This group did became mentally stunted because they didn't have social connections.

So social bonds are important in our development as humans and without them, we cannot develop fully.

[Karyn]

One caution is that chit-chat at the office often turns into a gripe session. I have found those interactions to be draining and depressing. I believe there was a study done that found women/girls who talk about their problems all the time do not benefit from those conversations and could be reinforcing their negative perceptions and feelings.

I agree that social interaction is important, but I think it is equally important to realize when a simple chat has turned into a gripe-fest and walk away.