Would you be happier if you spent more time discussing the state of the world and the meaning of life — and less time talking about the weather?
It may sound counterintuitive, but people who spend more of their day having deep discussions and less time engaging in small talk seem to be happier, said Matthias Mehl, a psychologist at the University of Arizona who published a study on the subject….
But, he proposed, substantive conversation seemed to hold the key to happiness for two main reasons: both because human beings are driven to find and create meaning in their lives, and because we are social animals who want and need to connect with other people…..
Next, Dr. Mehl wants to see if people can actually make themselves happier by having more substantive conversations.
“It’s not that easy, like taking a pill once a day,” Dr. Mehl said. “But this has always intrigued me. Can we make people happier by asking them, for the next five days, to have one extra substantive conversation every day?”
– NY Times blog, Talk Deeply, Be Happy?
It may be that happiness prompts us to deeper and more meaningful conversations. Or, as the researcher suggests, that deep conversations leads to happiness. They help us find meaning in our life, and connect with others in a more meaningful and intimate way.
And it may well be that this is another tool for happiness: A prescription of one more meaningful conversation in a day.
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Again, not surprising. Deep conversations is related to happiness.
It may be that happiness prompts us to deeper and more meaningful conversations. Or, as the researcher suggests, that deep conversations leads to happiness. They help us find meaning in our life, and connect with others in a more meaningful and intimate way.
And it may well be that this is another happiness tool: One more meaningful conversation in a day. It is far more attractive than a pill.
Note: I wonder why they author says it sounds counter intuitive? I would imagine most people have noticed this in their own life. Superficial conversations are OK, but doesn’t do too much for my level of well-being or satisfaction in life. But deeper and more meaningful conversations certainly do.