Staying connected in your life is a big key to feeling your best. Study after study has shown that strong connections — with friends, with family, with your community — can enhance both your physical and mental health.
A winning mindset can start with the people around you. Here’s how NBA players lean on their connections to keep their minds sharp.
"I find the best way to deal with something is to talk about it with the people I love and to have faith in God.”
Marvin Bagley III, to ESPN
How This Helps
“Being able to talk about mental wellness openly has had such an impact on me.”
DeMar DeRozan, via X
How This Helps
“I had to raise my hand … and say, ‘Hey, I need help.’ That was the first step to getting better.”
Paul George, via USA Today
How This Helps
“Before games, what I do is I meditate. … Take a couple minutes to breathe, close my eyes, and I think good thoughts.”
Angel McCoughtry
How This Helps
“I find the best way to deal with something is to talk about it with the people I love and to have faith in God.”
Marvin Bagley III, to ESPN
How This Helps
“Being able to talk about mental wellness openly has had such an impact on me.”
DeMar DeRozan, via X
How This Helps
"I had to raise my hand … and say, ‘Hey, I need help.’ That was the first step to getting better."
Paul George, via USA Today
How This Helps
Life is all about connections. Through the ups and downs, your relationships with friends, family members, and others can help keep you grounded — and healthy. Research has shown that our social connections have a wide range of mental and physical benefits, from our ability to fight diseases, to improved mental health, to healthier hearts.
Start a conversation: Reach out and let someone know you’re thinking about them. Show an interest: Ask about a friend’s job, or why they got involved in a particular pursuit. Share something about yourself.
Find a common interest: Find other people who share your passions and interests, whether it’s bonding over a game of pickup, getting out for evening walks, or volunteering together in the community.
Share an experience: Text a friend and make a plan to do something together. Try a new restaurant in town. Hit up a concert. Watch a game. Take a road trip.
Put down the phone. When it comes to screen time and social media use, try to set limits, give yourself breaks, and be truly present with others. Everyone is different, but try to aim for about two hours of screen time a day. This balance is important in life. In some instances, excessive use of social media has been shown to be detrimental not just to building social connections, but to your overall mental health.
Everyone wants time to themselves. But if you’re feeling lonely and avoiding people or activities you used to enjoy, it’s time to act.
Want a few easy steps to increase connection in your life? Check out the former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's 5-for-5 Connection Challenge, featuring five actions to take over five days.
Connections go both ways. Just as it’s important to lean on family members and friends in tough times, it’s important to be there for your people too.
Communicate. Sometimes the first step is the hardest — but often, it can be the most meaningful. Break the ice and start a conversation by asking, “How are you doing?” Small check-ins can open the door to deeper connection.
Actively listen. Remember a big part of communication is listening. Practice active listening by putting your phone down, maintaining relaxed eye contact, and repeating back what you’ve heard: “Thanks for sharing. From what I heard, it sounds like ____.”
Know your people. Not everyone who is struggling asks for help. Know your people and notice when they seem off. Do they seem down? Are they acting different? Do they seem like they’re pulling away? That’s the time to check in. "Hey, how are you doing? You seemed a little down yesterday, so just wanted to check in. Here if you need anything."
Show up — and follow up. Remember, actions speak louder than words. Continue to show you care by following up and checking back in: “Hey I wanted to check back in and see how you are doing since we last chatted...”
Starting conversations with people who may be struggling can seem daunting, but it gets easier with practice. Just “being there” for and with someone can make a tremendous impact. This interactive resource guides you through how to start the conversation with confidence and keep it moving in a helpful direction.
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