This post was sponsored by Hallmark. I recently partnered with them in coordination with a recent survey.
Strong personal connections and relationships are an important component of our mental health and wellbeing. Though many of us rely on social media to communicate with others, stay up to date with news and other people’s lives, our use of social media can actually cause us to feel lonelier. Research has linked social media use to increased anxiety and loneliness and according to a recent survey conducted by Hallmark, people are craving more authentic, meaningful connections that social media cannot match.
Even as a psychiatrist with several followers on social media, I’ve experienced the negative impact of social media linked to excess use (increased anxiety, insomnia, loneliness, decreased self-esteem as a result of comparing myself to others), but was able to reduce these feelings through a social media detox. During a social media detox (in which you would disconnect from your smartphone/social media for any duration of time needed to reduce/heal any negative emotions associated with it) we are able to focus less on our social media connections and more on strengthening existing relationships we have outside of the digital world. Strong social support and connections are linked to increased happiness.
So, what are some ideas of things we can do to strengthen a relationship? Well, pretty much any gesture that goes above and beyond to show that we really care can make a difference. For example, making a phone call to check in or catch up, inviting a friend out for coffee or lunch, go for a walk with a coworker during break, send a note or greeting card to someone meaningful in your life “just because.”
The study by Hallmark found the following interesting results on the impact of more authentic, meaningful connections:
- Millennials, compared to other age groups, are more likely to find greeting cards especially meaningful and said they are more likely to feel noticed when they receive a card.
- Though most of us tend to send cards only on holidays or a special occasion, consumers said receiving a card “just because” is more meaningful than for any occasion.
- Consumers agree that greeting cards help them express themselves when they cannot find the words to do so, and prefer a card over a text with the same message.
It has been awhile since I received a card “just because,” though I can vividly remember receiving one from my college roommate in which she wrote that she was thankful to have me as a friend (Nuny, if you’re reading this — thank you, I kept your card for years!).
When was the last time YOU sent or received a card “just because?” If you think of someone special in your life, whether a friend or family member you haven’t seen in awhile, consider sending them a card and see what happens.
Graphics by Hallmark; PC: @artwuro
