There's some really good research out there on the importance of connection to both our physical and emotional health. (Check out Barbara L. Fredrickson, John Gottman and Jeffrey Rediger's works.)

Connection doesn't have to be long or intense to benefit us. It doesn't even have to be with someone we know well, like a parent, spouse or friend. It could be as simple as giving someone in line next to you a compliment on their coat, asking your librarian what they read recently and loved, or being intentional about small kindnesses to others like holding the door open, smiling and greeting someone coming the other way on your walk, or letting a parent with small children go ahead of you in the grocery line up. 

Not only do these few minutes of connection benefit you, they also benefit the other person! 

Want to challenge yourself? Aim for 3 moments of connection a day and at the end of the day take a moment to reflect on how those interactions felt. Practice gratitude toward yourself for being intentional about moving toward health and happiness.