94. Connect with animals: The power of pets to build connection

Animals can’t replace human connection, but they provide valuable companionship, physical affection, and other less tangible benefits.

connection, loneliness, well-beingJessica GiffordJune 19, 2023pets, dogsComment

93. Speak up/Call in: Addressing behaviors that destroy connection

Reaching a state of greater connection not only requires increasing connection-promoting behaviors, but also stopping connection-destroying behaviors.

communication, connection, inclusionJessica GiffordJune 12, 2023speak up, call in Comments

92. Notice the Good: most people feel unappreciated

Most people at work (and at home) feel unappreciated. Taking 2 minutes to notice the good can make a big difference.

91. Reframe Social Stress as Excitement

If you feel like anxiety gets in the way of being your best in social situations—and high pressure situations like a presentation or interview—this post is for you.

student success, well-being, connectionJessica GiffordMay 29, 2023social anxiety, anxietyComment

90. Leverage your connection superpowers

There are 90 different connection skills/action steps outlined in this blog so far. It’s impossible to be good at all 90, but you are sure to great at some! Here’s why (and how) to leverage your connection strengths.

89. Repair. Learn to have hard conversations.

One of the (many) factors contributing to disconnection is that we avoid addressing conflicts, hurts, and missteps. But we can learn how to have hard conversations and repair relationships.

communication, friendship, connectionJessica GiffordMay 15, 2023Comment

88. The costs of ignoring connection in the workplace

6 out of 10 American employees report they are lonely … which has enormous implications for employees’ health and well-being, not to mention financial costs.

connection, loneliness, productivityJessica GiffordMay 8, 2023Comment

87. People hate small talk, so why do we keep engaging in it?

You can’t just bring people together and expect connection to happen. You need to facilitate it…

connection, relationship-building, communicationJessica GiffordMay 1, 2023small talk, networking, minglingComment

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

85. Reduce social anxiety or discomfort in 2 seconds

If you’ve ever felt socially anxious, awkward, or like your emotional state gets in the way of connecting, this post is for you.

connection, communication, mental healthJessica GiffordApril 17, 2023self-talk Comments

84. Does social media help or harm connection?

Social media has changed the way we connect, but is it for the better, or worse? Well, it depends…

connection, friendship, mental healthJessica GiffordApril 10, 2023social mediaComment

83. Thinking outside the box to address mental health needs

With rates of depression and anxiety continuing to rise, we need to look at creative solutions to help address mental health needs. This post highlights one such solution … the friendship bench movement.

82. Three great ways to gamify connection

People are notoriously bad at following through on goals, even important ones. Gamification dramatically increases motivation and improves follow through (make it fun if you want it done). This post describes 3 great ways to gamify connection.

connection, friendship, relationship-buildingJessica GiffordMarch 27, 2023gamify Comments

81. Want to avoid cognitive decline? Be social.

One more reason to prioritize relationships: high social engagement has been found to help prevent cognitive decline later in life.

connection, friendship, well-beingJessica GiffordMarch 20, 2023cognitive declineComment

Friendship Tip #80. Practice warm greetings to connect instantly

When it comes to building connection, some moments carry more weight than others. This post shares what moments to focus on to create liking.

connection, communication, friendshipJessica GiffordMarch 13, 2023first impressions, welcome, greetingComment

Friendship Tip #79: Find commonalities to connect instantly.

We tend to like people who are like us … whether it’s a shared birthday, love of cats, or favorite band. Learn the psychology behind finding commonalities and how you can use it to connect quickly.

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

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

77. Expect to be liked ... and you'll be more likable!

Research shows that our expectations of how others feel about us becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we expect people not to like us, then they are less likely to. What would happen if you started expecting people to like you?

connection, friendship, relationship-building, well-beingJessica GiffordFebruary 20, 2023social anxiety, social awkwardnessComment

76. Spend time alone: it improves relationships, mental health, and productivity

When we think about strengthening connection, we usually think about spending time with other people, but time alone can improve the quality of our relationships, not to mention our well-being and productivity.

connection, mental health, productivityJessica GiffordFebruary 13, 2023productivity, solitude, alone time Comments

75. Why belonging matters and how to build it

Having a sense of belonging leads to better outcomes all around, but how do you generate a sense of belonging? One way is through providing mentorship…

connection, belonging, productivityJessica GiffordFebruary 6, 2023mentoringComment

111+ ways to create connection.

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