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Updated April 20, 2023
Deep talks are satisfying, but quick chats can be meaningful, too. They can add up to a greater sense of connection and community.
It’s no secret that maintaining close bonds with friends and family supports good health. But small talk with strangers or time spent with acquaintances — considered “weak ties” — may be a source of strength, too. Research has linked these everyday social interactions with well-being, including a 2020 report in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. In that study of more than 800 people over age 40, those who had a higher number of weak ties expressed better emotional health than those with a higher number of close ties. Having frequent contact with acquaintances may help protect against cognitive decline, according to a study of more than 5,000 older adults in China reported in Innovation in Aging in 2018.
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