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Power of Connection: How Reaching Out to Others Boosts Happiness: Happiness Happens Challenge Day 27

Updated: Jul 3, 2023

Man smiling while talking to someone through his laptop.
Calling someone can make you happy


For today's challenge, call someone!


Why call someone?

Interactions, including talking—both over the phone and with video—created stronger social bonds and minimized awkwardness compared to those done over email or text. Participants reported that they felt more connected to the person they spoke with, even with strangers.

(Millard)


Why does talking on the phone make us happier?


Why is it better to talk than text?

  • Texting tends to be more transactional - you are basically exchanging information, and much is lost from the loss of tone.

  • With the phone or video chat, you can hear the person's voice which creates understanding and connection.

  • Hearing a voice creates more warmth.


Whenever you have important work content, it is almost always better to convey with your voice rather than simply writing it. It was found that recruiters responded better to hearing an elevator pitch than reading the exact same words. It was also found that political messages conveyed with a voice were more positively received than those conveyed by written word. The lesson here is that you are more likely to have success if you convey information with your voice rather than in writing.


How can you do it?

  • It doesn't matter if you involve video, but make a call where you can hear each other's voices.

  • You can call someone spontaneously, or schedule meetings with friends, family and colleagues.


Who will you call today?


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References

Millard, Elizabeth. “Voice Communication Creates Stronger Bond than Text, Study Shows.” Verywell Mind, 22 Oct. 2020, www.verywellmind.com/voice-communication-creates-stronger-bond-than-text-5082922. Accessed 27 Aug. 2022.


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