Finding connection — in February and all year long
- Category: Blog
- Posted On:
- Written By: RRH
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With Valentine’s Day approaching, love is in the air! But love is always around us in our connections with one another. The Beatles captured the power of love, and impact such relationships can have on our lives, in their 1967 anthem “All You Need Is Love.” Experiencing the joy and fulfillment that comes from the various forms of loving and being loved by others has been identified as a key component of wellness.
“Research shows that social connectedness can lead to longer life, better health, and improved well-being.”1 When we connect with those around us, whether that be with a significant other, someone in our family, a friend or coworker or even with other community members we feel a sense of belonging and a feeling of joy. This feeling may vary from relationship to relationship but the underlying fulfillment it brings to our life is the same – connecting in a meaningful way with another person just makes us happier and healthier.
According to the CDC social connection with others can help:
- Improve your ability to recover from stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Promote healthy eating, physical activity, and weight.
- Improve sleep, well-being, and quality of life.
- Reduce your risk of violent and suicidal behaviors.
- Prevent death from chronic diseases.
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Through connecting with others we are able to support one another through the good times, the hard times and all the times in between. Living in a small town, sometimes you feel like you are connected to almost everyone. Everyone knows everyone’s business is an often stated fact but the reality is that through this close-knit community many find it comforting to know they could ask each other for help and support and most likely receive more than they asked for. At RRH, we provide a variety of ways for individuals to connect and support one another. From support groups to weekly classes these programs help those in our community come together, connect and build relationships.
“Relationships, being key players in affirming an individual’s sense of self, satisfy the basic human need for belongingness and are a source of positive affirmation.”2 We all have this desire to connect and to belong and we impact each other’s overall well-being, satisfaction and happiness when we choose to connect with one another. Instead of looking at the month of February as just the month of love, let’s look at it as an opportunity to connect with others, to build one another up and to have a positive impact on the health of those around us.
For more information on outreach programs call 760-499-3825.
Tera Moorehead is the Director of Community Outreach, Wellness and Philanthropy at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. With dual master’s degrees in nutrition and education, as well as a national board certified health and wellness coach, Tera shares her passion for health and wellness through various programs offered free to the community through RRH. You can contact her at 760-499-3825.
1. https://www.cdc.gov/emotional-wellbeing/social-connectedness/affect-health.htm
