糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Professor Creates Guide to Reduce Loneliness Through Positive Communication
A University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor believes the power of positive communication can help people combat loneliness.
鈥淎ccording to a , one in four people worldwide feel very lonely or fairly lonely,鈥� said Dr. Julien Mirivel, professor of applied communication and author of 鈥淭he Art of Positive Communication.鈥� 鈥淚n the United States, one in two adults report experiencing loneliness. That鈥檚 why my colleagues and I from the Positive Communication Network developed a short guide with eight tips to reduce loneliness through positive communication.鈥�
Mirivel co-founded the Positive Communication Network in 2023, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering a community committed to creating a better social world through positive communication research, education, and practice.
The guide outlines eight key strategies:
- Greet Others Warmly
- Invite Connection Time
- Ask Meaningful Questions
- Be Present
- Offer to Help Someone
- Express Gratitude
- Listen More Deeply
- Savor the Moment
Mirivel highlights Tip No. 2, Invite Connection Time, as particularly important. This involves reaching out to others to create opportunities for social interaction, such as inviting a colleague for a walk at lunch.
鈥淐ommunication is like a muscle鈥攖he lonelier you feel, the harder it is to take the first step,鈥� Mirivel explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about greeting people; you have to be the one who initiates connections. Adults used to attend more social gatherings, but that鈥檚 become less common. Sometimes, it鈥檚 as simple as inviting someone to lunch. I enjoy cooking, so I invited a couple of friends to prepare a meal together.鈥�
He also emphasizes Tip No. 4, Be Present, as a crucial way to foster connections.
鈥淵ou build relationships by being available and engaged,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e standing in line at Starbucks looking at your phone, others can鈥檛 make eye contact with you, and you lose opportunities for connection. that the time teenagers spend with friends has decreased up to 70% in the last 15 to 20 years, partly due to social media. When interacting with others, minimize distractions. Be fully present鈥攜ou鈥檒l feel more curious, engaged, and connected.鈥�
Despite his expertise in positive communication, Mirivel acknowledges that he, too, has experienced loneliness and works to apply these principles in his own life.
鈥淓veryone goes through periods of loneliness, and I have to be intentional about making positive changes,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 practice all eight tips鈥擨鈥檝e become more active in groups, manage a Saturday morning tennis league, started a cooking club with friends, and founded the Positive Communication Network. I鈥檝e learned to be the initiator rather than waiting for an invitation. My goal is to cultivate meaningful relationships.鈥�
For those looking to be more social and less lonely, Mirivel suggests:
- Making eye contact, smiling, and greeting people throughout the day
- Putting away your phone in public spaces and starting a conversation instead
- Scheduling recurring lunch meetings with friends and relatives
- Organizing group activities such as a cooking night, movie night, book club, or sports gathering
鈥淵ou have to think of it as a journey,鈥� Mirivel said. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 expect one action to eliminate loneliness overnight. It鈥檚 the small, consistent choices that shape your experience. Sometimes we prioritize work or social media over relationships, but every decision matters. What you do daily builds the foundation for meaningful connections.鈥�
One of the ways Mirivel fosters connection is by collaborating more in his research and professional projects.
鈥淎 big change from 10 years ago is that I collaborate much more,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y last three books have been co-authored, which has introduced me to new people and maintained meaningful friendships along the way. The Positive Communication Network is not just about research鈥攊t鈥檚 about forming relationships and making meaningful connections.鈥�
To encourage connection among students, Mirivel requires his online students to set up a Zoom
meeting with a classmate.
鈥淭his is one of their favorite assignments,鈥� he said. 鈥淢any online students never meet their classmates, and it can feel isolating. But we have the technology to help them connect, and this small step makes a big difference.鈥�
You can find the . The Positive Communication Network team that contributed to the guide includes Kristen Christman (University of North Carolina at Greensboro), Ryan Fuller (Sacramento State University), Phillip Glenn (Emerson College), Margaret Pitts (University of Arizona), Thomas Socha (Old Dominion University), and Amy Young (University of Michigan).