Words Kelly Finerty
With the cold winter months blanketing the Peninsula, most of us hibernate, drink a hot beverage and begin the process of hunkering down into a new fiscal year of work, family, retirement, and in many cases, isolation. “Wellness” is so much more than how the vessel carrying our spirit and soul is shaped, and arguably is also how you feel physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally in equal parts. In a 2018 study funded by the Swedish Foundation for Humanities and Social Sciences*, researchers concluded that untrained humans have an innate sense to identify an acutely unwell person simply by briefly observing a photograph. Wouldn’t it be empowering if we could also help each other feel better?
As a writer who tippy-taps alone at home frequently, an overlooked antidote in my case is quite often connection. In today’s modern lifestyle, connection with yourself, others and the outside world can feel challenging. Screen time, lack of funds and a sedentary lifestyle may feel hopelessly unavoidable. Together, let’s dive in and brainstorm some ways to increase connection and help improve the whole picture of our wellness into the New Year**.
Disconnection from Self
Modern lifestyle, although convenient, can have pit falls. Restless scrolling on various electronic devices, lack of motivation, and autopilot accomplishing routine tasks seem typical today. If you’ve noticed this happens when overtired, bored, hungry or otherwise disengaged, it may be prudent to ask “Am I disconnected from myself?”
Wellness Connection Suggestion: Other than checking in with your primary care provider, some suggestions for reconnecting with yourself may be to leave your electronic devices out of sight for a specified time (including phones, smart watches, tablets, computers, televisions, etc.), and engage in the things you enjoyed before the internet existed. I realize I’m writing to a very specific audience here, so to give you some examples: listening to music, drawing on pad and paper, and completing various puzzles may stretch creativity, and more importantly, slow us down. How do you like to slow down and check in with yourself?
Disconnection from Others
Scrolling through social media can feel as though we are connecting with others in forums and content creation relatively inexpensively. In this vein, perhaps connecting with others in the real world may be exacerbated by limited access to funds. Group activities, for both able bodies and bodies needing accommodations, such as eating out, seeing a movie or live show in the theatre, paying fees to dance, buying tickets to concerts, live sports, and almost any other form of accessible group entertainment seems to have an associated cost.
Wellness Connection Suggestion: Especially noticeable when living alone, the goal is to connect with others while not breaking the bank. Inviting people over to visit can be relatively inexpensive. Perhaps a potluck tea party would be a great way to connect with extended family or friends? Maybe a clothing swap, game board night, or portrait drawing would be a hilarious way to get to know each other? Ultimately, the activities are up to you, but connecting with others through story, sharing and community can make all the difference. What do you like to do to connect with others while on a budget?
Disconnection from the Outer World
In our cozy homes, hanging about feels appropriate to pass time while the wind and rain whip around outside. It can be challenging to leave the house when the weather is so uninviting, leading to a feeling of “cabin fever.” Restless boredom could be a sign to initiate a change of scenery, and could be why so many folks choose to travel to warm destinations in the winter months. But if you’re like me, and become a sedentary being once that first fall leaf hits the ground, perhaps we need to reconnect with the outer world.
Wellness Connection Suggestion: Thrifting rain gear and walking or wheeling the Galloping Goose Trail is a great place to start. It’s mostly flat, mostly paved, and you can choose how long you follow the trail; you may even find yourself starting a fun competition with friends and family! If exercise isn’t manageable, another idea could be joining an improv group, or volunteer at your favourite place to spend time. Maybe a beach cleanup party? A double benefit – you would be connecting with others too!
Whatever you decide for your specific wellness needs, my hope is that you will focus on the whole picture into this New Year. You are worth it!
*Identification of acutely sick people and facial cues of sickness (Axelsson, J. et al., 2018) https://tinyurl.com/yr37z43z.
**Seaside Magazine and its writers are not clinically trained professionals. This article provides suggestions for wellness activities. Should you require clinical support, please contact your primary care provider.
