A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology suggests that anthropomorphizing, or attributing human-like qualities to inanimate objects, can have positive effects on our well-being. Researchers found that people who empathized with an object, such as a household item or a car, reported feeling more positive emotions and a greater sense of connectedness. The study’s authors propose that this phenomenon occurs because empathizing with objects activates the same neural pathways involved in human-to-human empathy, leading to increased feelings of social connectedness and reduced loneliness. However, they caution that excessive anthropomorphizing could potentially lead to unhealthy attachments or unrealistic expectations. The findings suggest that simple practices like naming household objects or expressing gratitude towards them could be a low-cost way to boost emotional well-being, particularly for those experiencing social isolation or loneliness.