The Glory of Small Talk

Once in awhile someone will send me a gentle email asking me if I can figure out how to get the gang to stop being so chatty before meetings so that we can get onto the topic at hand. I explain that I am powerless and our routine continues. People chat, even on zoom, and I love it.

Here's why. Casual but friendly social interaction is a signal to our body that the world is a safe place. So in our community, we encourage this inefficient but helpful use of chit chat and companionable sharing because it is one more step in, you got it, completing the stress response cycle.

Even if you personally are not feeling light and breezy, practice making a little small talk today, see how it goes!