The Power of Connection: 5 Ways to Stay Connected Now

Until recently, many of us took connection for granted. We went to work, we socialized, we belonged to sports clubs, we enjoyed concerts and movie tours and spa days... We were surrounded by people all the time.

Suddenly everything changed. With social distancing and isolation to protect our physical health, our mental and emotional health is now at risk.

"A deep sense of love and belonging is an irresistible need of all humans. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually connected to love, love, and belonging. When these needs are not met, we do not function the way we want to." Brene Brown

We took this for granted before. It just happened. Now we have to work harder to achieve it.

If we don't, social isolation can affect our physical, mental and emotional health. Just this week, The Guardian (link removed) as a “social recession”. Social distancing and isolation can have a detrimental impact on our resilience to deal with and recover from stressful situations. However, positive connections can help us face life's challenges with more confidence. So let's look at five ways to stay connected at this time.

Connection with yourself

Self-care begins with self-knowledge. How can we prioritize taking care of our needs if we have not identified our needs?

We need to take time every day to talk to our bodies, minds, and hearts. We need to develop honesty with ourselves. We may not respond to the situation we find ourselves in as we hoped or expected. We have to be able to acknowledge and accept that. We must be kind to ourselves.

ACTION: SET TIME Aside EVERY DAY

Commit to spending half an hour a day getting to know yourself better. You can choose to do half an hour all at once or in three ten-minute sessions throughout the day, or whatever works best for you. Decide when, where and how you will do this every day (otherwise it won't happen).

You can do a body scan meditation or a simple yoga practice. As you move through the exercise, focus your gaze on each part of your body in turn and listen to what each part is telling you. There are many available online. Try as many as you need until you find the right one for you. You can choose a meditation practice where you sit in silence with yourself. You can write your thoughts in a journal every day without judgment or censorship. Or you can choose a combination of all of the above!

Connection with family and friends

We already have a relationship with these people. We are somehow closely connected.

A deep human connection has the power to transform a situation and elevate the meaning of the moment. When we have the opportunity to spend time in the presence of another person, whether physically or virtually, we owe it to ourselves and that person to give that connection our full attention. We both need to feel heard, understood and supported by someone we care deeply about.

ACTION: ORGANIZE A GET TOGETHER

We are all new to all this. Our diaries have been deleted for the foreseeable future. Nothing planned at the moment, nothing to look forward to.

So create an event! Book one day and one time. Plan a theme and food, a dress code, a playlist. Invite everyone you love. Of course this has to be done remotely, a virtual meeting rather than an actual meeting, but the joy of the internet is that it is easily possible to bring people together online.

Connection with the divine

With everything going on in the world right now, your connection with the divine may have taken a hit. Their belief in a benevolent force may have been shaken. Gatherings with others on a similar faith journey as you have been canceled. You may feel mentally alone and adrift.

This is all completely understandable. Don't be hard on yourself. But don't give up or give up.

ACTION: Immerse yourself in a new book

An understanding and foundation of your place in the universe is more important now than ever. And a good place to start is to learn from others.

Browse the Spirituality section in one (link removed) and see what you are drawn to. It may be something completely different than what you previously considered. This is a great time to expand your understanding with a new perspective of the divine.

When you start reading, take it slowly. Let the words sink in. Write thoughts in a notebook or in the book itself. Take time to think about what you have read. Sit with it. You don't have to agree with everything. Just trust that you were drawn to this book for a reason, and let it reveal new truths to you.

Connection with nature

Look around. We can trust nature to do its thing. As all of our human constructs begin to crumble, nature springs into new life. The work of nature is calming and grounding. Lift your eyes from the constant news on your screen and let nature restore your soul.

ACTION: OUTSIDE EVERY DAY

Even with social distancing guidelines, connecting with nature and enjoying the fresh air is the ideal way. Make this a priority. Switch it up with a walk in a forest, on a beach, in an urban moor, along a river, in the hills. You don't have to do anything else: just sit there and nature will do the rest.

If you can't get outside, bring the outside to you. Use scented candles, sprays or diffusers to bring the scents of nature into your room. Discover the power of natural stones and crystals to uplift and heal.

Connection with others

We live in a connected world. We are all connected. And that kind of social connection is important.

We were created to live in community. This is the essence of being human. We are all in the same boat. We therefore have a mutual responsibility. This is a time when achieving and practicing compassion will deepen and strengthen social connections. Being there for others and serving them in some way enriches our own lives as we meet both physical and emotional needs.

ACTION: PERFORM AN ACT OF KINDNESS EVERY DAY

Social distancing makes meaningful connections difficult right now, but keep your eyes open to bless a stranger every day. Simply a kind word can be a blessing when salespeople, receptionists, etc. are being abused by frustrated and anxious customers. A bag of pasta or a pack of toilet paper has become a real gift. Give the cashier assistant some flowers to thank them for all their hard work. Check in with an isolated neighbor. You will surely have many creative ideas of your own.

Stay connected, friends.