How to have better friendships and feel less lonely

Terrific Vox article on seven ways to improve your "social biome." Our physical and mental health is very dependent on connections (if you want to really nerd out on the role of the vagus nerve in regulating our sense of safety in connections, check out this Cleveland Clinic explainer, or hardcore nerd-out with this NIH article by polyvagal expert Stephen Porges).

Social scientists Jeffrey Hall and Andy Merolla have studied how social interactions impact well-being, and here are their seven things to work on:

1. Talk to strangers

2. Focus on quality interaction every day

3. But don’t discount small talk

4. Discuss a diverse range of topics with a diverse range of people

5. Making — and keeping — plans is crucial

6. Understand the limits of technology

7. Embrace alone time

I love number 7! Counterintuitive, but we so often overlook the importance of slowing down, resting, and re-setting.