Simple way to slash your stress levels and make you feel happier revealed
JUST one chat a day with a mate is enough to slash your stress levels, scientists say.
Even texting or an online messaging exchange can make you feel happier, a study suggests.
A need for social connection is hard-wired into us so conversations release feel-good hormones.
However, polls suggest almost half of us dedicate only an hour to loved ones on one day a week — or no time at all.
The US study found people are less likely to feel stressed at the end of the day if they have had a natter — even if it is just joking around.
Its author, Professor Jeffrey Hall, said: “It matters who you talk to — talking with people you like and are close to improves wellbeing more than with people you don’t know or don’t like.”
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He set up experiments with 907 subjects, who were told to try different socialising tasks.
Each was asked to have a conversation with a friend at some time during the day — or not — then report back in the evening. This was repeated in three phases with different people over two years.
Chats included deep conversations, catching up or light-hearted banter.
The study subjects who interacted were 60 per cent more likely to say that their stress levels had reduced, compared to those who had not.
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More time spent blowing off steam was linked to a stronger stress-busting effect, but just one talk per day was enough to have an impact.
The effect was stronger after face-to-face conversations, but phone calls and online interactions also boosted people’s mood.
Professor Hall, of Kansas University, said: “Texting, DMs and social media contact are not as beneficial but they are better than nothing.
“If the choice is being alone or having a back-and-forth text exchange, texting is better.
“But it is not a substitute for quality communication face to face or on the phone.”
He added: “I believe the US and UK are in a decline in sociality that started before the pandemic.
“We do not prioritise our friendships because we think they should just happen and they take work. So we prefer easier forms of entertainment.”