There's something magical about being in a crowd of strangers, experiencing the same thing.

• It's that feeling that happens when people engage together in a meaningful activity that sparks joy. Such as when you get goose bumps at a concert, feel the rush of adrenaline in group exercise classes or get swept up in religious festivals, AP's Albert Stumm writes.

🥳 The big picture: Psychologists have dubbed this feeling "we mode" — and tapping into it from time to time comes with a whole host of benefits for our mental health.

• Case in point: One of the best places to observe "we mode" is a sporting event. The phenomenon is so powerful that researchers have found the heartbeats of fans attending a game actually sync up.

Zoom in: There are a few key components of "we mode."

1. 🫂 Be there. "If you're not physically present with people, a lot of the signals that create the shared state, they just aren't there," Kelly McGonigal, a Stanford psychologist told Stumm. This is a big reason why getting together virtually during COVID lockdowns felt unsatisfying for so many people.
2. 📢 Get loud. We're likelier to experience the euphoria when we're cheering, dancing or clapping along with others. Sitting quietly in a movie theater — while a great way to spend a weekend afternoon — doesn't quite have the same effect.
3. 🕺 Don't stand by. Watching other people take part in something isn't enough — even if you're there with them. As McGonigal puts it to AP: "You've got to do the wave at the sporting event. If you're at a group exercise class, and your instructor is like, 'Can I get a whoop, whoop?' You gotta whoop, whoop."

The bottom line: Next time you have the chance to gather in big numbers — whether it's at a wedding, a New Year's Eve party or a high school football game — take a minute to appreciate the group bonding. It's a uniquely human experience we don't get to have often.

Thanks to the 100+ readers who've sent us notes about what they're feeling grateful for this Thanksgiving. We're looking forward to featuring some of your responses in a special edition of Finish Line tomorrow!

• If you'd like to be considered for the newsletter, send a sentence or two about what you're thankful for — plus your name and hometown — to [email protected]. Check out the note from reader Bess Winston below for some inspiration!

"My rescue beagle, Cinnamon, reminds me every day to be grateful for good health, a safe neighborhood for enjoying long walks, small treats that make up for even the worst days, a warm bed to rest my head, and the grace, fortitude and deep capacity for love among those who serve and save all of God's creatures (but especially beagles)." —Bess Winston, Bethesda, Md.