A recent article provides several suggestions for making new connections. In this era of social loneliness, which has emerged as a serious public health crisis, this is particularly timely — for both individuals and couples. Here is a quick summary.

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     Six insights on connection:

1. People are more interested in engaging with you than you might imagine.

2. Connection is built on reciprocity.

3. Focus on the frequency rather than the intensity of positive interactions.

4. Imagine connection as the physical distance between you and others.

5. Your personality matters … more for your expectations than your actual experience.

6. Your beliefs can become your barriers.

     When asked to imagine talking to a stranger on a train, people predict they’ll enjoy it more than keeping to themselves. Yet the barrier that prevents them from trying is the belief that others don’t want to engage. We misjudge others. We assume there are more people who will reject us than there actually are. Moreover, while people expect social rejection to sting more than connecting will please them, it’s often more their expectation not the actual experience …..There’s no magic set of opening lines for starting the most connection-fostering conversations. The secret lies in a mindset: taking a genuine interest in others and paying attention.”

“How of Human Connection.” Psychology Today (Feb. 2026).