If you’re feeling in a funk for no apparent reason then maybe it’s time for a Connection audit?!
Say what Carrie?
Well if you spend a lot of time working at a desk, staring at a screen and promising that one day you’ll work out you work/life balance, you could be struggling with the effects of a lack of connection. Effects include elevated stress levels, grumpiness and snappiness which is out of proportion to the situation or even doubts about yourself as a ‘good’ person.
You see, I’m super interested in connection and the beneficial effects it can have. I look at it in 3 spheres:
Connection to ourselves – the inner work if you will. How you’re feeling emotionally, physically and mentally.
Connection to others – we are social creatures (even the most introverted of us) how much time are you spending staring at a screen, how much time are you spending with people that drive you nuts and drag you into a negativity bog, and how much time are you spending time with people who lift you up and leave you feeling nourished, supported and understood.
Connection to nature – studies have found that spending time in nature has huge wellbeing benefits. Natural phenomena can also provoke a sense of awe, think rainbows, waterfalls and things that make you go ‘wow’
Maybe you’d like to think about how your year so far has been connected? Is there a sphere you’d like to spend a little more time in?
If you’re wondering what each sphere might contain, here are some ideas:
Connection to Ourselves
– Movement, dance or exercise – anything that puts you back in touch with your body.
– Journaling – a great way to explore your current reality and dream about how the future could feel.
– Therapy – unpicking the stories you tell yourself that are holding you back can be easier in a supported environment.
– Massage – reconnect to your physical body and to pleasure.
– Creativity – go on, make something just for the fun of it, it can have as much or as little meaning as you’d like.
– Play and fun – cut loose and play, maybe balance on a log, borrow a hula hoop or go off track in the woods.
– Swamping – allowing yourself to feel all the emotions, not just the convenient ones. Swamping is a practice of feeling into the crappy side of life, letting it swamp through your body, releasing it with movement, sound (crying, shouting, chewbacca roars) and letting it roll through you rather than tightly packing that shit down.
– Breathwork – a wonderful way to regulate your nervous system.
Connection to Others
– Pick up the phone and call a friend.
– Write a letter to a relative.
– Meet someone for coffee or a walk.
– Join a new group – could be a sport, could be a business network, but use the opportunity to meet new people. If you feel nervous, the best thing to do is ask people about themselves “have you been coming here long?” or “what do you do?”
– Make someone a meal or go for dinner with someone you like chatting to. Eating together is always a lovely way to connect.
– Smile at a passer by.
– Compliment someone.
– Tell someone why you appreciate them.
– Hang out with a cat, horse or dog – petting an animal can release oxytocin, for a dose of feel good for free!
Connection to Nature
– Block walk – even in an urban environment there’s still a lot of benefit to being outside.
– Sunlight is a natural way to regulate your sleep cycles and top up your vitamin D levels.
– Get curious about what’s around you. Try listening out for bird calls ( you don’t have to name the bird). If you’re out in the countryside look for rabbits, pheasant and deer. If you’re urban, seek out squirrels, foxes and badgers. Many urban parks have squirrels so tame you can hand feed them – which is always exciting.
– Experience AWE – look for rainbows and stars. Is it a comet or is it a satellite? Growing a sense of wonder reminds us of how connected everything is.
– Get grounded – kick off your socks and shoes and stand outside. Tune in your senses to experience what’s going on under your soles. Taking breaths in through your nose and then ‘breathing out’ through your feet is an amazing way to feel grounded and in control.
That’s just a few ideas, I’m sure you can think of many, many more.
If you’re curious about Connection and how it can enhance your life, maybe it’s the right time for you to join Glorious? You can check out the details here
Big love,
Carrie