Yale professor and happiness expert says the most important thing people can do to boost happiness is engaging in social connection. Companies should take note as well.
“Every available study of happy people suggests that happy people are more social, they spend more time physically around other people, and they invest time in their friends and family members,” Santos said.
Companies can use events or food to create social interactions among customers or employees, which “build[s] more opportunities for people later in their life to have these shared moments,” said Maryellis Bunn, co-CEO of the Museum of Ice Cream.
Santos recommends people take three steps: Devote time to developing relationships, reach out to people they don’t know and ask deeper questions during conversation.