By Jessica

Part of cultivating joy in life is cultivating connections with other people that nourish us and light us up.

This might look different for different people. Extroverts might want a whole lot of connections with a big social circle, while introverts may be more comfortable with a couple close friends and a cup of tea.

No matter how we achieve it, human connection is something that all of us need in order to thrive.

Modern neuroscience is increasingly recognizing the necessity of human connection. They’re finding that spending time connecting face-to-face with other people who listen and relate to us is a crucial part of creating happiness and regulating our emotions.

Technology and social media have provided us with so many opportunities, but they’ve also given us a world where we spend less time face-to-face with each other. It can be easy to feel isolated—even if you’re in touch with tons of people through your phone or your computer.

Stories are our greatest shortcut to connection. Sharing a story about your experience or something you’ve learned builds connection much faster and deeper than talking about facts, opinions, or circumstances.

Go outside your routine.

We’ve all got our regular ways of doing things, our normal schedules, the places we go and the people we see.

Venturing outside this comfort zone once in a while is an incredible way to build connections. Take a class in something that fascinates you. Travel. Sign up for a weekend workshop or conference. Try going out to new places (on your own, if you’re up for it!).

These out-of-the-ordinary experiences put us in an open, curious state that invites new connections—and gives them space to flower.

How do you build more connection in your life, and what benefits do you see? Let us know in the comments below!