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.

If you’d like to receive these posts in your inbox, sign up for our weekly newsletter. Happy connecting!

Posts tagged body language

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. Leverage the power of eye contact to build connection.

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

52. Use responsive facial expressions. What I learned about connection from my WORST job interview.

If you’ve ever spoken to someone who was expressionless, you know how disconcerting it can be. Try it! Talk to someone and ask them to keep a completely neutral expression. Facial expressions give us feedback that’s vital to connection.

connection, relationship-building, friendshipJessica GiffordAugust 22, 2022body language, nonverbalsComment

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

9. Mirror. It's a secret superpower!

Mirroring can be used to build genuine connection … or to manipulate.

communication, connection, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordOctober 18, 2021mirroring, body languageComment