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- 11/20/24: Feeling isolated & alone
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Happy Wednesday my friend,
The Power of Community
In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to feel isolated and alone.
Especially in the age of social media (ironic name for something showing so much potential to push people apart), we need to be careful not to replace our needs for authentic connection…with an algorithm.
Throw in a huge dose of emotion tied to politics, global affairs, and environmental pessimism…you’ve got a recipe for a dysregulated nervous system.
Strong social connections are essential for our overall well-being. Studies have shown that having strong social relationships can reduce stress, boost our immune system, and even increase our lifespan.
On the flip side, in terms of its impact on mortality, isolation is considered to be as dangerous as smoking.
Building and maintaining strong relationships takes effort, but it's worth it. Here are a few tips:
Be present: When you're with friends and family, be fully present. Put away your phone and focus on the conversation. This gets harder in regards to the people you live with in your own home. If you have kids or a partner, have a conversation about your goals to deal with distractions and presence, particularly when together around the dinner table, or out at a restaurant.
Be a good listener: Really listen to what others have to say. Resist the need to react immediately. It’s ok to process before responding, particularly when the person’s perspective is one you may not agree with entirely. Bring attention to when you are coming up with your reply while the other person is still speaking. If you’re doing it a lot, you may be a good debater or lawyer, but that’s not what a friend needs.
Be supportive: I’ve always thought there were two important requirements for being a good friend (or family member): 1. Celebrate their successes. When you see they did something they’re proud of, engage in some way (even a text) to let them know you’re happy for them. Who else will cheerlead for them, if not those closest? 2. Acknowledge if they’ve made themselves vulnerable in some way. This can be in person, or online. If they share something on social media that exposes a hurt or fear, offer reassurance that you’ll be there for them. Remind them they are loved. In other words, be there at their best, and at their worst.
Join groups and clubs: This is a great way to meet people with similar interests and socialize with less awkwardness to search for ice-breakers, since you’re there specifically to focus on a shared hobby or passion. You may not have everything in common, but there’s something you both find fun or worth your time. Search your zip code and a topic you like. There might be a club going on that you never even knew was happening in your own back yard!
Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to give back to your community and meet like-minded people. One of the best salves for depression is to be of service. It makes you feel purposeful, reminds you of what to be grateful for in your own life (seeing those less fortunate up close), and mirrors your humanity across the eyes of those all there to help.
The impact of community can be profound. Whether it's a book club, a sports team, or a church group, (or even an online membership) having a sense of belonging can make a world of difference.
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😊 Conscious Corner
Earth-conscious stories you may have missed…
🛌 SLEEP & BRAIN: Your sleep either accelerates your brain aging or slows it down (more)
🚬 UK SMOKE: Debating a bill for world’s first smoke-less generation (more)
🦎 NEW CROC: Another amphibian species discovered in China (more)
🦠 UV POWER: Ultraviolet kills viruses, so why isn’t it everywhere? (more)
🥾 ENTIRE TEXAS: New hike path crosses entire state (more)
Forgive me my nonsense as I also forgive the nonsense of those who think that they talk sense.
To a healing future,
— Rob