Pushkin

If you listen to this podcast regularly,

you know that there are lots of quick things you can do to make yourself a little happier.

Get a bit of extra sleep, say, or take some time for exercise.

But there is one way to improve your mood

that could literally be staring you right in the face this very second.

There are 7.7 billion people in the world,

and talking to just one of them can often make you feel so much better.

Social interaction is usually available all around us,

but many of us, even in the busiest cities,

can go a whole day without properly engaging with another human being.

I'll admit, I sometimes hide away from social situations too.

I skip work gatherings to stay at home.

I eat by myself.

When I'm on a train or plane, I often check emails on my phone

rather than starting a conversation with a stranger.

I repeatedly fall for the lie of the mind

that talking to people will be awkward, annoying, or just training.

So when I put out a call for listener questions,

I was really glad to see that so many of you were also looking for ways

to master the art of becoming more socially connected,

and making new friends.

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