Does Talking To Strangers Benefit Your Mental Health? Experts Opine.

Does talking to strangers benefit your mental health
  • Recent research shows that talking to strangers helps your mental health.
  • Such a tiny practice on a daily basis can help reduce the risks of depression and anxiety.

Social Connection And Mental Health

Human beings are social animals. Studies show that socializing, connecting, and networking with people keep us happier, more confident, mindful, and psychologically resilient. Forging and maintaining social connections have been positively associated with:

  • Reduced loneliness and isolation
  • Greater prosocial behavior
  • Greater self-esteem
  • Development of social skills and coping strategies
  • A better social support system in case of future, negative life events
  • Experiencing positive feelings related to companionship, gratitude, and appreciation of others
  • Reduced risks of mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, etc.

Why Talking To Strangers Helps Your Mental Health

A recent study conducted at the University of Sussex explored how talking to strangers can reduce depression. The researchers also revealed that talking to strangers improves social skills, as well as reduces maladaptive social cognition, fears of bad experiences, and social anxiety.

They hoped that the benefits of “talking to strangers” could be incorporated into non-pharmacological interventions to treat mental illnesses like:

  • Social anxiety and withdrawal
  • Substance use disorder (SUD)
  • Dependent personality disorder,
  • Memory disorders (like dementia), etc.

Tips To Socialize With People You Have Just Met

While socializing has great benefits, it can be daunting for many people—especially introverts. In such cases, it is important to remember that socialization is an important skill that gets better with practice and age.

Consider the following tips to socialize better with strangers and other acquaintances:

  • Be brave, worry less, and let go of inhibitions (related to social rejection).
  • Strike up a casual conversation. Be curious and ask engaging but polite questions.
  • Talk about a common concern (like casual political commentary, clothing, new films, etc.).
  • Have more conversations with people who are passing acquaintances in your neighborhood or workplace.
  • Consider carrying out random acts of kindness (like helping a stranger carry groceries, holding open a door, etc.).
  • While talking to strangers, make sure to be cautious. Maintain certain boundaries (like privacy) and try to be prudent about social interactions.

In a nutshell, talking to strangers is good for you, provided you carry out such random acts of social interaction in a proper manner. With the right approach, you can effectively reap the mental health benefits of conversing with strangers.

Know More About –

  1. Social Anxiety
  2. Dependent Personality Disorder
  3. Dementia
  1. 6 Lessons I Learned From Befriending A Stranger
  2. Why You Underestimate How Much Other People Like You
  3. How To Be Likable? 9 Simple Ways To Become A Likable Person
Up Next

The Pitfalls Of Social Media Oversharing In Sharenting

The Pitfalls Of Social Media Oversharing

Sharenting may include the social media oversharing of children’s information by parents.

It carries a number of risks to children’s privacy, safety, and mental health.

What Is Sharenting?

With the advent of social media, it has become common for parents to share updates about their children's milestones, achievements, and everyday activities online.

Sharenting is a term used to describe the practice of parents sharing information, photos, and videos about their children on social media platforms. It is a combination


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Silent Struggle: Navigating the Emotional Rollercoaster of Infertility

Exploring The Emotional Impact Of Infertility

With the rising rates of sterility, studies highlight the emotional impact of infertility.

Experts recommend seeking medical help for coping with this condition.

What Is Infertility?

Infertility is a medical condition that affects the reproductive system and can make it difficult or impossible to conceive a child. It is estimated that infertility affects around 10-15% of couples worldwide, and can be caused by a variety of factors, such as:

Hormonal imbalances


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Relationship Jet Lag: How Time Differences Can Affect Your Relationship?

Relationship Jet Lag

Relationship jet lag means partner issues arising from differences in schedules and time zones.

Experts recommend ways of how to be in a long-distance relationship and avoid relationship problems.

What Is Relationship Jet Lag?

Relationship jet lag refers to a phenomenon in which partners experience a mismatch in their circadian rhythms due to time differences and/or differing sleep schedules.

Causes Of Relationship Jet Lag In Long-distance Relationships

Relationship jet lag can oc


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

Is TikTok’s “Marriage After Baby” Trend Really Eye-Opening?

TikTok's Marriage After Baby Trend

A new TikTok trend promotes the idea of “marriage after baby”.

This raised a debate on the pros and cons of marital and premarital parenthood.

What Is Premarital Parenthood?

Premarital parenthood is the type of parenthood in which a couple shares a biological child before marriage. This is in contrast to married parenthood in which a couple welcomes a baby after marriage.

Tiktok's “Marriage After Baby” Trend

A recent TikTok trend promoted the idea of “marriage after baby” for both


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Up Next

The Mozart Effect And The Healing Powers Of Music

The Mozart Effect And The Healing Powers Of Music

Music therapy is an emerging non-pharmacological therapy that treats mental health issues.

One of its prominent theories is the Mozart effect which highlights the health benefits of listening to classical music.

Understanding Music Therapy

Music therapy is a type of therapy that uses the healing powers of music to treat certain physical disabilities and mental disorders. It draws from the recreational and socio-cultural dimensions of music while also harnessing the neuroscience-based therapeutic benefits of music in the process of treatment.


READ FULL ARTICLE ⇲
Keanu Reeves: A Look into His Journey with Mental Health Why Amanda Bynes Was Placed on Psychiatric Hold? The Unseen Struggle: Princess Diana’s Battle With An Eating Disorder Iconic Movie Actresses and Histrionic Personality Disorder: Exploring Complexity Hikikomori: Understanding The Japanese Culture-Bound Syndrome Is Brendan Fraser’s Oscar-Win Also A Mental Health Success Story? Are Chefs at Higher Risk of Mental Illness and Suicide? Can A Good Walk In The Woods Clear Your Head? What Is The Link Between Criminality And Sexual Fetishism? Cooking Therapy: Nourishing Our Minds And Souls At The Same Time? Social Media Narcissism And What It Means For Young Adults How Space Travel Induces Depression, Anxiety, And Psychosis In Astronauts?