Last week, we started a Finding Joy series. In that post, we talked about the various ways that joy can improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
Throughout November, we’ll be discussing how connection, kindness, meaning, and gratitude can provide you with joy.
Today, we’re focusing on the importance of connection to self and others.
What we’ve seen in the research, and in work with our clients, is that connection to self and others can be a powerful tool in bringing joy to your life. The key is to know when you need one versus the other.
We encourage you to get into the habit of regularly pausing and asking yourself something like:
“What type of connection do I need today?”
Depending on how you answer, you may need time to connect with yourself, or with others, or perhaps some combination of both.
Below, you’ll find some examples to help you think about simple ways for connecting with yourself and connecting others.
CONNECTING TO SELF
Taking care of yourself is not selfish! It’s key to a strong, successful you, and it helps you build resilience for those times when life and work are particularly stressful.
What could connecting with yourself look like? You could:
- Practice setting healthy boundaries.
- Spend time in nature.
- Speak to yourself with respect and kindness.
- Find ways to move (even a little!) throughout the day.
- Listen to your favorite song.
- Embrace downtime.
- Practice 1 minute of mindful breathing.
- Laugh, play, and have fun.
- Read for enjoyment.
- Celebrate your accomplishments—big and small!
CONNECTING TO OTHERS
Nurture your personal and professional relationships—particularly ones that leave you feeling fueled. Connecting with others is key to your health and wellness, and can help you to feel like you’re “in this together.”
What could connecting to your loved ones and work colleagues look like? You could:
- Host a group video chat to connect with those who are far away.
- Share a laugh.
- Collaborate or create something fun together.
- Host a “beating burnout” challenge with friends or colleagues.
- Take a walk at lunch with another person.
- Ask for support when you need it.
- Share daily gratitudes with someone.
- Watch a movie or video with a loved one.
- Reach out to let people know you’re thinking about them or appreciate them.
- Enjoy the connection with people at your grocery store, bank, coffee shop, etc.
As you read through these suggestions, we encourage you to share them with loved ones AND work colleagues.
Consider the examples that could work for you as well as ones that could help you to connect with your personal and professional worlds, in a way that leaves everyone feeling supported.
It’s important to start small. We suggest finding one “go to” thing from each list to try out. Let us know how it goes!
Stay tuned for next week when we’ll talk about Finding Joy with Kindness.
Be well.
PLEASE NOTE: If you’re struggling or are having persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest, we encourage you to reach out to your physician, therapist, or a local mental health line for support. It’s important to take good care of yourself.
If you’d like support
Finding Joy in your days,
contact us today.
