Simple way to slash your stress levels and make you feel happier revealed

JUST talking to a buddy a day is enough to lower your stress levels, scientists say.

Even texting or an online messaging exchange can make you happier, a study suggests.

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The need for social connection is ingrained in us, so conversations release feel-good hormones.

However, surveys suggest that nearly half of us spend just an hour a day a week with our loved ones — or no time at all.

The US study found that people are less stressed at the end of the day after they’ve had a conversation — even if it’s just a joke.

Its author, Professor Jeffrey Hall, said: “It depends who you talk to — talking to people you like and are close to improves well-being more than people you don’t know or dislike.”

He conducted experiments with 907 subjects who were asked to try different socialization tasks.

Everyone was asked to have a chat with a friend sometime during the day – or not – and then check back in the evening. This was repeated in three phases with different people over two years.

The chats included in-depth conversations, catch-ups, or light-hearted banter.

Study participants who interacted were 60 percent more likely to say their stress levels had decreased than those who didn’t.

More time to blow off steam was associated with a greater stress-relieving effect, but just one conversation per day was enough to make an impact.

The effect was stronger after face-to-face conversations, but phone calls and online interactions also improved people’s moods.

Professor Hall of Kansas University said: “Texting, DMs and social media contacts are not as beneficial, but they are better than nothing.

“When the choice is to be alone or have a back and forth text exchange, texting is better.

“But it’s not a substitute for quality face-to-face or phone communication.”

He added: “I believe the US and UK are in a decline in sociality that started before the pandemic.

“We don’t prioritize our friendships because we think they should just happen and take work. That’s why we prefer simpler forms of entertainment.”