The Surprising Power of a Wave
Three reasons to overcome FOLYPAH (Fear of leaving your phone at home)
by: Paige japinga
How many of us can honestly say we are perfectly content leaving the house without our beloved phones? Believe me, I’ve tried it and it feels like I walked out of the house naked!
With good reason, our phones provide us with a sense of security and connect us with the world. Whether you’re riding the elevator, going out to dinner, or waiting in line for a coffee, it’s rare to see a person who isn’t looking down at their phone. I get it. We live in a world that demands immediate response. And it doesn’t help that humans are all biologically wired to do everything in our power to be accepted by our colleagues, family members, friends, and followers (for all you social media fanatics.)
What if the innate need to perform and feel accepted by “your tribe” could be fulfilled by simply saying hello to the person whose right in front of you?
What if we actually talked to the barista at the local coffee shop or didn’t pretend to answer an important email while riding the elevator to avoid having to make awkward small talk with your neighbor whose name has escaped you yet again. Does that sound scary to you? If it does, I not only encourage you to think again, I challenge you to look up from your mobile device and try to interact with those around you. Here is why:
1. We all deserve acknowledgment
Acknowledgment means accepting the existence of another human being and creating a sense of commonality and belonging. Imagine a world where you didn’t feel accepted or even noticed for your own existence. Seriously, close your eyes and imagine that for a moment… it feels pretty lonely, doesn’t it?
In fact, we’re in the middle of a loneliness epidemic. For many of us, loneliness is a part of our everyday lives. Consider these stats:
Click the image to read making caring common’s executive summary on “loneliness in America”
Even with all our digital connectivity, loneliness is real, folks. And we truly never know what is going on inside another person. So, whenever you get the chance, take that brief moment and acknowledge the people you encounter. Your friendly smile and greeting may positively impact another person’s life — and it costs you nothing!
2. Connecting with others expands your potential
Be open to what life may bring you! Waving and saying hello to others creates a confident, friendly, positive disposition that radiates out from your being. This positive disposition can be influential to both you and the person on the receiving end.
Researchers in Positive Psychology have discovered that when a person receives a positive gesture from another, it literally opens their peripheral vision allowing them to see more in their environment. A heightened visual field leads to realizing greater possibilities, tapping into creativity, and developing greater resilience in life.[1]
Understanding the benefits that come from smiling and waving just might lead you to finally say hello to the person you dodge on a weekly basis. (Even though I know you’re getting pretty damn good at it.)
Of course, use discernment when interacting with people, but when you wave, you’re in an open and receptive state that allows for more opportunities to present themselves in your life because you are able to see them. You never know what types of connections you may create when you initiate a connection through a simple wave. The person on the receiving end may have the answer you need in life.
3. Smiling and waving makes everyone healthier — and happier
When people make eye contact and acknowledge one another through a friendly gesture like a wave or a smile, the other person on the receiving end is much more likely to mimic the same behavior back! So, in this way, you really can help create a happier world!
Our clever brains will quite literally mirror or mimic the same behavior back creating physiological synchrony between the waver and the receiver. This synchrony becomes even stronger with positive emotions! pretty cool stuff, right!?
A recent study proved that our daily interactions with strangers can positively contribute to our well-being more than the interactions we have with our inner circle! These small moments of kindness and connection are easy to implement in our lives and have major health benefits to all of us! [2] So, when you smile and wave, you are not only benefiting your own physiology and mental state but you are also helping the other person improve their mental wellness, too. That is a pretty simple yet powerful gift, wouldn’t you say?
Next time you’re out and about, make an intentional effort to wave hello. It’s a small effort with a high potential reward to create more meaning, vitality, and happiness in your life and the lives of others.
We aren’t making this stuff up! See for yourself…
Check out these amazing lectures by Dr. Frederickson, Ph.D., the Kenan Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill about how small interactions can create a powerful impact.
[1] Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., the Kenan Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discusses how positive emotions broaden our awareness of the world and allows us to become more in tuned with the needs of others in her 2011 lecture.
[2] “Social Interactions and Well-Being: The Surprising Power of Weak Ties