101+ ways to create connection and community.

3 out of 4 Americans report that they are dissatisfied with the quality of their relationships. 2 out of 5 say they don’t feel close with anyone. Even worse, this lack of connection is fueling the current depression pandemic.

Having positive relationships is the number one predictor of happiness and helps prevent and reduce depression. Every act of connection—large and small—matters. When you connect, you protect.

This blog is a growing collection of small action steps—based on research—that you can use to improve the quality of your relationships and create stronger connection in your life and workplace. A new post is released each Monday. I hope you’re inspired to experiment and would love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and experiences in the comments.

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Posts in relationships

105. Will friendbots solve the loneliness crisis?

105. Will friendbots solve the loneliness crisis?

AI companions are already here, but will they help relieve loneliness, or add fuel to the fire of disconnection?

connection, friendship, relationshipsJessica GiffordJune 4, 2024A.I., chatbot friends Comments

101. Be Intentional. The antidote to friendship dissatisfaction.

101. Be Intentional. The antidote to friendship dissatisfaction.

Most Americans are dissatisfied with the quality of their friendships. It's time to shift the idea that friendships happen spontaneously and get intentional.

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordAugust 7, 2023intentional friendship, planned friendship, arranged friendshipComment

100. Conduct a Friendship Self-Assessment

100. Conduct a Friendship Self-Assessment

The people we’re closest to have a powerful influence on how we feel, what we do, and who we become. Take a few minutes to reflect on your closest relationships using this friendship self-assessment.

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordJuly 31, 2023friendship assessment, friendship audit, friendship inventory Comment

86. Why you (probably) need more touch

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

79. Look for commonalities to connect with someone instantly.

79. Look for commonalities to connect with someone instantly.

We tend to like people who are similar us … in almost any way. When you look for commonalities it gives you something to bond, commiserate, or connect over.

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

74. What to do when you want other people to change

74. What to do when you want other people to change

There are times when other people’s behavior frustrates, irritates, or negatively impacts us and we want them to change. But giving a lecture or telling people what to do rarely works. Try these approaches instead.

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

70. How the battle over your attention affects your relationships

70. How the battle over your attention affects your relationships

Our attention spans have become shorter and shorter, to the detriment of our relationships. Giving someone your full attention is a profound gift.

connection, relationships, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordJanuary 2, 2023focus, attention Comments

66. The introvert/extrovert interviews

66. The introvert/extrovert interviews

There are a lot of misconceptions of what it means to be introverted or extroverted. Check out the more nuanced reality the introvert/extrovert interviews revealed.

relationships, inclusion, productivityJessica GiffordDecember 5, 2022introvert, extrovertComment

59. Comparison: thief of joy or secret to success?

59. Comparison: thief of joy or secret to success?

We all compare ourselves to others. Is comparison the thief of joy, or the secret to success?

connection, relationships, well-beingJessica GiffordOctober 17, 2022 Comments

55. What we admire in others and shun in ourselves

55. What we admire in others and shun in ourselves

It's hard to feel close with someone if your conversations never go beyond surface level. Getting close requires mutual self-disclosure … and that can feel vulnerable.

connection, relationships, friendshipJessica GiffordSeptember 19, 2022Comment

53. When overreacting helps (and when it hurts)

53. When overreacting helps (and when it hurts)

We all go through rocky, stressed-out periods when we could use a little extra understanding. We can extend that grace to others too…

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordSeptember 5, 2022Comment

51. How to avoid being annoying

51. How to avoid being annoying

Have you ever felt trapped in a conversation you desperately wanted to extricate yourself from? Chances are the other person wasn’t picking up on your nonverbal cues.

relationships, friendship, connectionJessica GiffordAugust 15, 2022body language, communicationComment

49. Three reasons to have more fun

49. Three reasons to have more fun

Fun acts like social glue … so why is it so hard to prioritize?

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordJuly 25, 2022funComment

38. Brush up on your social intelligence skills

38. Brush up on your social intelligence skills

People with high social intelligence have stronger relationships, better mental and physical health, are more likely to be promoted at work, and have greater life satisfaction. Here’s how to hone your SI skills.

connection, relationship-building, relationshipsJessica GiffordMay 10, 2022Comment

37. Apologize well (and avoid these common mistakes)

37. Apologize well (and avoid these common mistakes)

Apologies can make a relationships stronger, or destroy them. This post explores the good, bad, and ugly when it come to apologies.

connection, relationships, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordMay 2, 2022apologies Comments

34. Try something new … and break out of a friendship rut.

34. Try something new … and break out of a friendship rut.

If you have a friend or friend group that’s fallen into a rut, try doing something new and exciting (like these ideas) to re-ignite your friendship.

friendship, connection, relationshipsJessica GiffordApril 11, 2022Comment

31. Croissant, don’t bagel (it’s more inclusive).

31. Croissant, don’t bagel (it’s more inclusive).

What do breakfast breads have to do with socializing? Read on to find out…

relationships, connection, friendshipJessica GiffordMarch 21, 2022networking, socializing, inclusion Comments

30. Set boundaries. Caring TOO much may be contributing to burnout.

30. Set boundaries. Caring TOO much may be contributing to burnout.

We tend to think of compassionate people as having a bottomless well of kindness, but the truth is that the people who are most compassionate have strong boundaries.

burnout, wellness, relationshipsJessica GiffordMarch 14, 2022boundaries, compassion Comments

25. Don’t Ghost Your Friends.

25. Don’t Ghost Your Friends.

Being ghosted by a friend is the worst. The human brain HATES uncertainty, and in the absence of real information tends to make up terrible stories.

friendship, loneliness, relationshipsJessica GiffordFebruary 7, 2022ghosting, friend breakups Comments

23.   Improve your sleep

23. Improve your sleep

Poor sleep doesn’t just make us crankier, it also makes us lonelier.

connection, relationships, wellness, student successJessica GiffordJanuary 24, 2022 Comments