The connection that is shared between humans during storytelling is a beautiful and sacred thing. In the world we live in today, many people often feel unconnected and lonely due to a lack of real, true connection and conversation with others. It is bizarre that we live in a world where technology allows us to communicate more than we have ever been able to do, yet many people still feel disconnected. The internet can be a great way to connect with other people, but the purity of face-to-face storytelling and the connection that it fosters seems to be a lost art. When most people think about storytelling, they likely think of their grandparents telling them stories as a young child. I personally remember that when my grandmother used to tell me stories as a child, I felt whole and loved, just simply because she was sharing her life’s adventures with me through word of mouth.

Storytelling can help us process emotions. In a world of instant gratification, sitting down to listen to a story from start to finish helps our brains to get the proper dopamine curve as we anticipate the story’s outcome and it isn’t just handed to us. Some stories make us feel good and sometimes stories are so sad that we sob uncontrollably, but either way, they help us to feel. Most people brush aside their feelings and ignore them, but simply partaking in a good storytelling session can help us to process a range of emotions without us even realizing it. Have you ever heard a story that left you in complete awe? There is a childlike sense that we experience when we hear a story from someone. This is one of the greatest feelings in the world and leaves us feeling curious and open to anything new. Storytelling can make us feel that we are immersed in a story book, just waiting to turn the next page to find out what happens next. Humans can benefit greatly from telling stories to one another and the act of doing so, truly nourishes our souls. Human connection is vital for good health and telling stories can help to meet those connection needs.

In recent years, TED talks have become a very popular form of storytelling that many people enjoy. Each time I listen to them, I am completely encapsulated in the story. It is almost like my brain tunes out all other senses while the speaker is telling their story. Storytelling can also help you to discover things about yourself that you may not have recognized in the past. Stories can change your mind, your heart and even your actions through the spoken words of another human. Storytelling is how we learn and grow into the people we are. They strengthen relationships, teach us about other viewpoints and inspire us to learn more about others. Before technology, story-telling was the only way that people could obtain information and learn about different things. Personally, I always love to ask someone else about a question that I have rather than aiming straight for Chat GPT. I love listening to what others have to say about things I am unfamiliar with.

After the pandemic in 2020, we were left feeling more disconnected than ever. With only social media available as a way to connect, we seemed to never really recover from using socials as a primary means of connection and communication. A 2023 study comparing in‑person vs. Zoom conversations found that real‑life interactions produced significantly higher neural activity, arousal, and engagement, including longer eye‑gaze and stronger detection of facial micro‑movements. These subtle cues are essential for social bonding and are largely lost online. It is quite possible that storytelling could be a key modulator for depression, since depression is often accompanied by a sense of disconnection and loneliness. Stories heal, and we should strive to make them a part of our everyday life. There is something beautiful about a story, but we must open our hearts and take the time to truly listen.