Emotional Resilience: 5 Ways to Wellbeing – Connect
04/12/2023
Throughout this month we are going to focus on emotional resilience using the Five Ways to Wellbeing. We start with Connect.
Being ‘Connected’ is about building and keeping up relationships with other people, especially the ones that you love and care about (for example your friends, family or partner).
Connecting with other people is really important for everyone because it helps us:
- Build self-esteem
- Feel like we belong
- Share positive experiences
- Get emotional support when needed
Loneliness
Many people do not feel connected to other people might be feeling lonely. When we feel lonely, it is especially important that we try to build connections with others.
Ways to connect with people
It can be hard to connect with people if we are physically apart, but there are still ways to connect and the pandemic definitely made it more common to speak with people online rather than in-person.
Try to think of ways to connect with people without seeing them face-to-face….
Some ideas could be: write a letter or a postcard, or send a voice recording.
Each day, whether it be a phone call or sending uplifting pictures or photographs, try to reach out to people and talk, but also be there to listen to others.
Why don’t you teach your loved ones some new ways of connecting (for example, introduce an elderly relative to using FaceTime or Zoom?), or ask them what their favourite way of connecting is? So you can help others stay better connected with you.
Use connection to help you through difficult times
Ask for help
It is okay to not feel okay. Think about the people that you can call if you ever feel lonely or upset.
Focus on the positives
Sometimes bad or sad things happen that we cannot control or change. These things can make us feel worried or annoyed. To help yourself feel better and more in control, focus on the things you can change. For example, how could you make someone’s day better? Could you send them a gift or call to check how they are? You may know people you work with who live alone. Why not get in touch and see how they are?
More to do:
Keep on finding creative ways to connect with the people you care about over the next few weeks. Some ideas might include:
· Playlist of connections
Contact your friends and family and make a playlist of everyone’s favourite songs.
· Rebuild old connections
Connect with someone you have not spoken to in a while, maybe an old friend or a family member who lives far away?
· Replace your going out with staying in
Instead of going out with your friends, why not invite them into your home using technology? Using video call is a great way to be creative and try things such as cooking, dancing, playing a game or watching TV together, but apart!
Have a look at these links for more information:
Some inspiring talks from professionals on the power of connection