Life is beautiful not because of the things we see or do. Life is beautiful because of the people we meet.
Simon Sinek
Community is how we survived and thrived as a species for millennia, and it remains the bedrock of what makes life worth living. Connectedness to other human beings isn’t just crucial to mental health; it’s crucial to physical health as well.
The pandemic has thrown a serious curveball into connection, of course. But small and resourceful acts of community are yet available to us. From mood to immunity to resilience, community is at the foundation of how we will ride out this time in history.
As we brace for a winter of social distancing (at best) and social isolation (at worst), invoking the healing power of connection is just as important as eating well and exercising in keeping yourself healthy - and every little bit counts for your winter wellness.
Yes, it’s tricky at this moment in time, with new restrictions and lockdowns rolling out across the globe on what seems like a weekly basis. However, it’s far from impossible.
Here’s your playbook to finding those tiny sparks of community in a pandemic.
Get Outside. If at all possible, get out for a walk. It turns out that mundane connections count almost as much as community of other stripes. The fresh air and exercise nourishes your physical self, and the simple act of seeing other people boosts morale. Social psychologist and award winning Harvard professor Amy Cuddy calls these everyday interactions - a nod hello, a smile, a chat about the weather - acts of ‘micro-love’. The neuroscience behind these tiny acts of connection shows that they promote virus killing T-cells, lower blood pressure, and release a cascade of feel-good chemicals that make you happy. Stopping for a chat will quite literally put a spring in your step.
Use Video Chat. Whatever platform you choose, a video conference is the next best thing to being there in person. Non-verbal cues make up a whopping 70-80% of human communication. Body language accounts for endless subtleties in our understanding, and qualities such as humour, compassion, and empathy go through the roof in comparison with an e-mail, text, or even a regular phone call. A phone call trumps a text, but a video chat trumps a phone call.
Take an Online Class. Yet another way to find your tribe. Lockdown life is a perfect opportunity to follow up on an interest. If it’s a live video chat, all the better.
Lend a Helping Hand. Many charities are thinking outside the box and they can use your help. Give a hand in person if at all possible, but excellent alternatives include phone calls to shut-in seniors, support of online auctions, or just checking in on an elderly neighbour.
Most importantly, keep those everyday opportunities for small acts of generosity, kindness and connection on your radar.
A laugh with a neighbour, a walk with a friend, a phone call with family, a catch-up with someone you haven’t seen in awhile - it will boost your mood, it will help your wider community, and it will act as its own form of vaccine while we wait for the real thing to arrive. 🌿
