Ever felt like a new person after catching up with an old friend - the day's worries melting away as you reminisce and make future plans? There's a deep-rooted reason for this post-gossip glow. 'Connection is a basic human need,' says consultant psychologist Dr Elena Touroni (thechelseapsychologyclinic.com). 'Besides food, shelter and water, we need to feel a sense of belonging.'
Fortunately, at this time of year, there are more opportunities to connect than usual. Our calendars bubble with lovely occasions, ranging from the intimate to the overwhelming. But are all of these friendships and festivities equally beneficial to our well-being? We investigate how the brain reacts to different social situations, giving you more reason to put yourself out there this season because there's more to gain from a friendly natter, or even a stranger's smile, than you may realise.
WE'RE ONLY HUMAN
Even as tiny babies, our brains require interactions with other people in order to develop, says counsellor Gemma Campbell (kooth.com). This need for company served an evolutionary function, too - living and hunting in groups helped us survive.
'But it also creates difficulties,' says Ginny Smith, founder of braintasticscience.com. 'You have to keep track of who is a friend and who might be an enemy, and where you sit in the social hierarchy.'
Esta historia es de la edición December 2022 de Woman & Home Feel Good You.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición December 2022 de Woman & Home Feel Good You.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Reach new heights in the DOLOMITES
Breathtaking Alpine views, farm-to-table food and a game-changing spa... you'll I never want to leave this gem
NOTHING TO see here
Don't let those pesky PDWs* hold you back. Style them out with our expert advice
BURN while you EARN!
Meet the three women who made work a workout...
WALK this way!
A daily stroll can make all the difference to your wellbeing
15-minute TOTAL TONE-UP
Feel stronger and leaner in four weeks with our at-home Pilates workout
What a PAIR!
Mixing certain foods together can give your body a health boost. Give these tasty duos a try
The SHAPE of YOU
Unlock the key to better health and fitness by understanding your body type
ANIMAL MAGIC
Can a four-legged friend help you live longer? Health editor and dog owner Tanya Pearey investigates....
Signs you're too stressed
Your body could be trying to tell you something...
Is it time you said No?
It's good to be kind, but too much people pleasing can lead to burnout