Blackberry Boundaries
Updated: Aug 13
The blackberries seemed to ripen early this summer in the huge field close to my home. It felt therapeutic to stop and pick blackberries on my walks. Being in nature with the fragrance of berries and watching as they almost fell off the branch when they were perfectly ripe was as satisfying as walking in the door with a full, fresh bag of berries for dessert! Also important is that, in my community, where there are blackberries, there are bears!
One of the greatest lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic was the importance of social self-care. Prioritizing meaningful connections is one of the most powerful ways we can support our overall wellness. So where are we five years later? What have we learned about social connection in the return from pandemic times?
One thing the pandemic taught us is the importance of human connection and what happens when we don’t have it. Each of us has a different balance and picture of what the optimal level of connection is…but we all need it. An article in Health & Wellness Canada talks about how healthy social connection can:
· build resilience;
· lower stress;
· lower blood pressure;
· lower inflammation;
· lower risk of cardiovascular disease;
· strengthen immune system;
· increase life expectancy.
The key word here is healthy. How do we do this? How to we build healthy social connections in our fast-paced digital world?
Did you know there are actually three aspects to social self-care that interconnect and build on each other? We often see the engagement phase of social as the whole piece; but, this is just the beginning. There is more to developing our social self-care.
Still wondering what this all has to do with the blackberries? Find out at our next zoom meetup!
If you're looking to strengthen your social well-being and connect with a supportive community, join us for our next Creating Communities Zoom Meetup on Thursday, August 27 at 5:30 p.m. Discover practical ways to nurture your social wellness, connect with like-minded people in a welcoming environment, and leave with fresh ideas to support your social self-care. We'd love to see you there!
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Subscribe to Connections Membership and enjoy all monthly wellness meetups, practical self-care tips and tools, and a supportive community—all at the lowest price. Make space for your well-being and connect with others along the way.
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