With the frenzied pace of modern life, many of us don’t socialize as much as we’d like. We often feel like there’s no time or energy for lunch with co-workers, a weekend getaway with friends, a visit to the new neighbors’ house, or even a phone call to our parents. We delay these opportunities—or forgo them altogether—and deprive ourselves of the human connection that’s so good for our health and happiness.

It might help to remember that connection doesn’t have to be time or energy-intensive. It can be squeezed into a few meaningful moments. And, it can happen essentially anytime, anywhere, with anyone.

Here are a few small practices that can leave you feeling a lot more connected.

1. Talk to strangers.

We run into strangers all of the time—sitting at the bus stop, running errands, going to a new yoga class, or walking around our neighborhood. Why not seize these opportunities to make a quick connection?

Research shows that talking to strangers can lift our mood and make us feel more connected to others—and much more so than we expect. It doesn’t have to be a long conversation either. In one study, people who had a brief conversation with their barista left the coffee shop feeling more connected than those who kept it “business as usual.”

2. Perform random acts of kindness.

Performing random acts of kindness can make us feel happier and more connected—and can brighten someone else’s day, too. These acts of kindness don’t have to be big. You can put a quarter into an expired parking meter, pick up a piece of litter, return a grocery cart to the corral, write an online review for your favorite restaurant, or give someone a compliment. Being kind is a great way to remember that we’re all in this together.

3. Give a small gift.

People from around the world experience more happiness when they spend their money on........

© Psychology Today