October 22, 2024
The Power of Connection
There is something magical about gathering and spending time with others. Recently, I had the opportunity to do just that at two events in the span of a week. The first was a family wedding with relatives I hadn’t seen in years, and the other was a workshop that I co-hosted with a mix of friends and strangers.
In both scenarios, I was excited and also felt a bit anxious and fearful.
As I drove to the wedding, I was looking forward to seeing everyone in my extended family. However, when I arrived, I was met with a mix of hugs, happy smiles, and cool, detached hellos.
I must admit, the cool hellos threw me off a bit, and I began to feel anxious and uncomfortable. Why was I met with the cool hellos?
I did not receive the welcome that I expected, I detached and began holding back emotionally.
Detachment was my way of dealing with my uncomfortable emotions. My next coping technique was the use of humor to lighten the mood. And, it did help
After the beautiful and moving wedding ceremony, everyone made their way to the reception. Before the party began, the family gathered for a drink, which helped to break the ice. It felt like a spring thaw as we started to chat and trade cell phone photos of kids and pets, recent trips and discussing who lived where, now.
We were experiencing the genuine kind of sharing that families do when they get together after long periods of separation and have a chance to catch up. I felt happy to be there and honored to be celebrating the new couple and the opportunity to connect with loved ones.
Six days later, I gathered with a different mix of people, including friends, previous coworkers and a number of strangers. It was my new business’s first live event, and I must admit that I was nervous about teaching the workshop.
Before the event, I had been fearful that only a few people would show up. I was stressed out, wondering if people would find my workshop valuable or helpful. It was so nerve wracking waiting until the day of the event. I focused on getting all the materials and supplies ready and practicing my talking points. Then we were hit with a hurricane. No way I could have predicted that or what it would result in.
I got to the venue an hour early to set up with hopeful anticipation. I was pleasantly surprised when complete strangers walked in for the seminar thirty minutes before the start time. Excited about the event, smiling, and jumping in to help me set up.
As it came time to begin the event, I was humbled to realize that more people were there than I had expected. Despite a huge hurricane wreaking havoc in the area only two days prior, we had fifteen participants in the workshop.
As we dove into the exercises, the group came together and opened themselves to me and to each other. Sharing their emotions, how they felt, their past experiences and stories.
The event was a success, fun, relaxing, and we connected with each other in a meaningful way..
As humans, we are hardwired for this type of interaction. We all experience the human need and desire to belong and to relate with others. The power of connection is real and also a bit magical.
A sense of belonging is one of Maslow’s basic elements in his Hierarchy of Needs. We are social beings, and social interaction is fundamental to our health and well-being. It is right there after food, water, shelter, and safety—the basics.
We can only move up the hierarchy of needs once the first levels have been fulfilled.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Connection not only feels good, it is healthy for us too. Research has demonstrated that social isolation has negative health impacts on humans. Social isolation has been proven to increase depression, chronic illness, mental health issues, suicide, and loss of cognitive abilities. It can also lead to earlier death.
In the USA, social isolation is almost a pandemic. The CDC states that 1 in 3 adults in the United States report feeling lonely, and 1 in 4 adults are experiencing a lack of social and emotional support.
Experiencing meaningful connections can reduce stress, improve sleep, support a longer life and better functionality, and increase happiness. Who doesn’t want that?
Just 1-3 hours of social interaction daily, or around seven hours a week, is all you need. We should be able to fit that into our busy schedules.
In fact, most people spend close to that amount of time scrolling on their smart devices each day.
Would it be better to spend that time experiencing social relationships with others while increasing the happiness in our lives? Don’t you want to live longer and increase your chances of caring for yourself and those you love?
That is the power of connection.
Make an effort this week to build your social relationships. Reach out to old friends, or be bold and make new ones. Try a new class or attend an event with others who share your interests and passions. The results may surprise you. You may surprise you. Embrace the power of connection.
In light and love,
Jackie
How do you connect with others? Leave a comment below or visit our website, www.deleaninstitute.com to become a part of our community. We would love to connect with you!
Sources
SCards, Kiffer, George, “7 Guidelines for Healthy Social Connections,” May 12, 2023, Greater Good Magazine, www.greatergood.berkeley.edu
Centers for Disease Control, “Health Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness,” www.CDC.gov
Cherry, Kendra, April 2, 2024, “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,” www.verywellmind.com.
