Elevate Mental Health and Well-Being Month | Week 3 - Social Well-Being (It's the Little Things...)

By Bryan R. Welch

Social connection at work isn’t just nice to have—research shows that feeling connected and having a sense of belonging in your workplace shapes well-being, motivation, and performance. The best part for busy lawyers is that encouraging connection and belonging doesn’t always require large investments of time. Opportunities for connection exist on a spectrum, from passing encounters to collective joy.

At one end of the continuum, psychologist Barbara Fredrickson highlights micro-moments of connection, which are brief but meaningful interactions that spark mutual positive emotions. A genuine “How are you?” (and then listening to the answer), a shared laugh during a meeting, or a kind word in the hallway can help people feel seen and understood and can trigger the release of oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone.” Oxytocin helps reduce stress, build trust, and promote cooperation—making it a powerful ally in healthy workplace dynamics.

On the other end of the spectrum lies collective effervescence, a term coined in the early 1900s by sociologist Émile Durkheim. It refers to the uplifting energy people feel when they come together with shared purpose or emotion—like collaborating on a successful team project or a spontaneous eruption of group celebration (think of being in the stadium when your team wins the World Cup). These experiences don’t just boost morale—they strengthen a sense of belonging and shared identity.

In between are the everyday conversations, shared experiences, regular exchanges, and instances of cooperation and support. These moments, large and small, are opportunities for connection that can transform not only our workdays, but also our long-term mental and emotional well-being.

What are three things you could do today to create micro-moments of connection? Remember—it’s the little things.

To explore more:

Read
Love 2.0: Creating Happiness and Health in Moments of Connection, by Barbara Fredrickson
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, by Vivek Murthy

Listen
Brené Brown’s podcast with Priya Parker on gathering well – Unlocking Us
Dacher Keltner’s podcast on How To Feel Less Lonely and More Connected – The Science of Happiness Podcast

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