Health Benefits of Making Phone Calls Are Real

Technology has made it easier for people to communicate, and businesses have these advantages whether through email, text messaging apps, or social media. Although phone calls are slower than its newer counterparts, and some people find it time-consuming and inefficient when having to take phone calls, COVID-19 has made way for phone calls to have a comeback.

Several studies have found that there are health benefits to phone calls, largely related to social connection. Research connects social support as a valuable tool for living a healthy life that can help reduce stress and loneliness. Phone calls are just one form of social support, but there's evidence to believe it to be an effective one.

Happiness during phone calls can be influenced by various factors.

Connection with the Caller

Phone connections can significantly impact your mood in various ways. Talking to friends or loved ones can boost your mood by providing emotional support, sharing joy, and reinforcing social bonds.

Phone conversations can offer an opportunity to vent frustrations and seek advice, which can help alleviate stress and improve overall mood.

Regular connection with people you care about by phone contact can enhance the sense of belonging and reduce feelings of loneliness, leading to a more positive mood.

Receiving or making phone calls can offer immediate emotional satisfaction, especially if the conversation is uplifting or involves sharing good news.

Gratitude

Gratitude has several positive effects on health. Practicing gratitude can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by fostering a more positive outlook and increasing overall happiness. People who regularly express gratitude often report better physical health, including fewer complaints of illness and improved sleep quality. Gratitude helps lower stress levels by promoting a sense of well-being and reducing negative emotions. Positive emotions associated with gratitude can strengthen the immune system, enhancing the body’s ability to fight off illnesses.

Gratitude is linked to lower blood pressure and improved heart health, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease. Grateful individuals often experience reduced pain levels, as positive emotions can increase pain tolerance and decrease perceptions of pain.

Overall, incorporating gratitude into daily life can contribute to better mental and physical health.

Laughter and Humor

Laughter and humor have significant positive effects on health, immunity, and overall well-being. Laughter has been shown to strengthen the immune system by increasing the production of antibodies and activating T-cells, which are essential for fighting infections.

Humor reduces the level of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can weaken the immune system. By lowering stress, laughter helps maintain a healthy immune response. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals, promoting an overall sense of well-being and temporarily relieving pain.

Laughter improves blood flow and increases the function of blood vessels, which can help protect against heart disease. Sharing laughter with others strengthens social connections, which is vital for mental health and can indirectly boost the immune system. Smiling and humor foster a positive outlook on life, which has been linked to better health outcomes and longer life expectancy.

Meaningful Conversations

Engaging in deep or meaningful discussions can lead to a sense of fulfillment and happiness. Meaningful conversations involve understanding and relating to the emotions and experiences of others, fostering a sense of connection and mutual respect.

Surprise

Unexpected calls from loved ones or friends can bring joy, especially if you haven’t spoken to them in a while. Pleasant surprises, like receiving unexpected, good news can trigger the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, leading to improved mood and a temporary boost in overall well-being. Positive surprises can reduce stress by shifting focus from worries or negative thoughts to the unexpected joy of the moment.

Emotional Support

Feeling heard, understood, and supported during a call can lead to a sense of comfort and happiness.

The mechanism of emotional support in telephone calls operates through several psychological and communicative processes that work together to provide comfort, validation, and reassurance to the person receiving support. Even without visual cues, a supportive voice can convey empathy. The tone, pace, and warmth of the speaker's voice help the listener feel understood and cared for.

Through active listening, the support provider reflects back the emotions and concerns expressed by the caller, creating a sense of shared understanding.

Verbal reassurances can alleviate anxiety and stress. The support provider can gently challenge negative thoughts or help the caller see their situation from a different perspective. This cognitive reframing can reduce feelings of hopelessness or despair.

While the main focus is emotional support, helping the caller think through their problems or identify steps they can take can give them a sense of control and reduce feelings of helplessness.

Tone of Voice

The calm and steady tone of the support provider can help regulate the caller's emotions, leading to a decrease in anxiety and distress. Emotional ventilation occurs by allowing the caller to express their feelings openly helps in releasing pent-up emotions, which can lead to emotional relief and clarity. Social Bonding and supportive interactions over the phone can build trust, making the caller feel more secure and willing to open up about deeper issues.

The act of talking and being listened to can trigger the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "bonding hormone," which can lower stress levels and promote feelings of well-being. A calm conversation can help regulate heart rate and reduce the physiological symptoms of stress or anxiety.

Time and Space for Reflection

The support provider can give the caller time to think and reflect during the conversation, which can lead to better emotional processing and clarity about their feelings and situation. Although not visible, pauses and the rhythm of speech play a significant role. Silence can be used effectively to give the caller space to think or encourage deeper expression. Building regular emotional support over the phone can help build emotional resilience, enabling the caller to handle future stressors more effectively.

Repeated positive interactions over the phone can create a sense of continuity and stability, which is especially important during times of crisis or instability.

Social bonding and supportive interactions over the phone can build trust, making the caller feel more secure and willing to open up about deeper issues. The act of talking and being listened to can trigger the release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "bonding hormone," which can lower stress levels and promote feelings of well-being.

A calm conversation can help regulate heart rate and reduce the physiological symptoms of stress or anxiety.

Tips for Happy Phone Calls

Establish regular times to talk, so both of you can look forward to it. Whether it's a daily call or a specific time each week, consistency helps build connection.

Find a quiet, comfortable spot where you won’t be interrupted. This helps you focus on the conversation.

Be present, give your full attention to the call. Avoid multitasking and focus on the person you're speaking with.

Be positive, start with a warm greeting and try to keep the conversation light and positive. Share good news or funny stories to keep the mood cheerful.

Listen actively, show that you’re listening by responding appropriately, asking questions, and acknowledging their feelings.

Show appreciation, let them know how much you enjoy talking to them.

Be honest and open, share your thoughts and feelings honestly. This deepens the connection and strengthens your bond.

Share details, talk about the small things in your day. Sharing even the mundane details can help you feel closer and more connected.

Express your feelings, don’t hesitate to express your love and appreciation.

Plan something together. Discuss future plans or activities you can do together, even if they’re far off. This gives you both something to look forward to and can bring excitement to your calls.

Be patient and understanding. If one of you is having a bad day, be supportive and understanding. Sometimes, just being there to listen can be the best support.

End on a high note, wrap up the call with a positive statement or a kind word, leaving both of you feeling good.