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Why Office Small Talk at Work Is Actually Good for You
It's literally good for your health.
Girlboss Daily
April 22, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
In partnership with
Lara here, Girlboss’ contributing writer! 👋
If I had a nickel for every time I beelined to my desk to avoid small talk with a coworker (“How was your weekend? Good! How was yours? Good! That’s good.” ), I’d be a wealthy woman. But turns out I’ve been depriving myself all along: a recent study found that having boring conversations can be good for your mental and physical health. Naturally, we have questions. 🧐
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The Matcha That Ruined All Other Matcha
As winter softens into spring, many of us crave energy that feels clean and steady. Not the jittery spike-and-crash kind.
That’s why I keep coming back to Sun Goddess Matcha by Pique. It’s easily the best matcha I’ve tasted.
In a market full of dull, bitter powders, this ceremonial-grade matcha stands apart for both flavor and purity. Crafted by Japanese tea masters and shaded 35% longer, it’s naturally rich in antioxidants and L-theanine to support calm focus and balanced energy.
The result is vibrant, smooth matcha that carries you through brighter mornings and fuller days. No spikes. No crashes. Just sustained energy that works with your body.
If you’re ready for a better morning ritual, try Sun Goddess Matcha here. 🌿🍵
Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Water Cooler Talk
What if we told you that hearing Karen from accounting describe her boring ass weekend is literally… good for you?
A recent study by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that participants consistently underestimated how enjoyable it would be to have conversations about boring topics. Not only were the conversations more engaging and interesting than expected, but they also led to a greater sense of connection, which has been shown to help reduce the risk of chronic disease and serious illness.
TL;DR: All that boring AF office chitchat can help you live a longer, healthier life (if you let it).
🥴 What if it’s a topic I literally don’t GAF about?
You’re in luck, because it turns out the topic doesn’t actually matter: “Engagement drives enjoyment more than the topic does,” Elizabeth Trinh, lead study author at the University of Michigan, told SELF. “People assume that interest comes from having a fascinating subject. But in reality, what makes conversations enjoyable is the sense of connection, like feeling heard, responding to each other, and discovering unexpected details about someone’s life. Even a mundane topic can become meaningful when two people are actively engaging with each other.”
Turns out, chitchat about the weather is a cliché for a pretty good reason.
👯♀️ Does it have to be in person?
Nope, so don’t skip that Zoom small talk either! Earlier this week, we wrote about the proximity bias that comes with remote work, particularly for women, and it’s worth noting that these small opportunities for connection can go a long way: the study found that regardless of whether the “boring” conversations were online or IRL, the results were resoundingly the same.
😨 What if I don’t have any coworkers?!
Independent workers and freelancers, we see you!! We know having little interaction with others is probably one of the reasons you chose your line of work 😜, but the good news is, these “boring” conversations don’t actually have to be with coworkers.
Calling your mom on your way home from work or FaceTiming your bestie while you do chores around the house can fill that same bucket, and if you want to up the ante, you could try joining a book club or freelance group, or attending a networking event. Plus, we’d be remiss not to remind you that therapy offers the ultimate space to explore “boring” topics that often end up being more interesting than you anticipated.
POLL: Will you try engaging in more small talk? |
What Team Girlboss has been loving lately.
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⚾️ BAGGU just dropped its 2026 MLB collection, celebrating the cities where its stores are located—like NYC, LA, and SF. Guess we have one more reason to root for the Yankees!
*This link is sponsored. Apply to advertise in Girlboss Daily here.
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