What are the benefits of doing this?

We feel better when we connect with other people and do something altruistic – this is well documented. We are recovering from the lockdown period when it was harder to spend time with people, and this is a quick and easy way to reboot our connections.

It allows for more person-to-person communication, rather than the general updates we may hear about from following friends on social media. It also directs our attention towards other people, and we know this is good for our mental health.

Are there any pitfalls people encounter when they try to reach out to someone? How can we avoid them?

We could procrastinate, let shyness hold us back or worry if we do not receive a response. The key here is: just do it. Don’t overthink it. Choose any names that come to mind. Also, hold in mind how nice it is for you when someone spontaneously gets in touch with you and uses that as a driver.

Finally, try to not be attached to an outcome – you may receive a response or you may not – but generally, people appreciate being thought about. Hold this in mind.

One Good Thing: why you need to reach out to people you care about