Forgotten Health Practices

forgetten health practices cover insta You might think that eating healthy, getting enough movement, staying hydrated, and sleeping well are the most important habits for staying healthy. You may even recognize that having a limited amount of alcohol and refraining from smoking is crucial to your well-being. While these things are extremely important, there is something else that most people forget - connections.

Connecting with others, nature, and yourself is an important aspect of your mental and physical health. It doesn't just raise your spirits to connect with others - it impacts your physical health. Spending time in nature is more than just a fun thing to do - it can improve the quality of your life. And time with yourself shouldn't just be an occasional luxury; it's important enough to put on your calendar.

Some people feel refreshed and energized after spending a lot of time with others, or even being surrounded by others in public spaces. Others prefer time with a few close friends and need more time to connect with themselves or in nature to renew their energy. There is no formula for this; everyone is different. The important thing is to value these connections, try them out, and listen to how each of them makes you feel.

It may take a little getting used to some of these connections. If you are always with people, it might feel weird being alone. If you spend a lot of time alone, time with people may feel uncomfortable. And you may have to try a handful of things before you find something you really enjoy doing in nature. Be sure to give it some time; you may be surprised and end up liking something that was uncomfortable at first.

Let's look at what these practices could look like in your life.

Connect with Others

Author and researcher Brene Brown defines connection “as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

The American Association for the Advancement of Science published a study that found “a lack of social connection is a greater detriment to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.” It is linked to obesity levels, inflammation, and hypertension.

Ways to increase your chance for good connections...

Invite friends to hang out with you on your patio.
Go for a walk with a loved one.
Show your affection through physical touch.
Make room for laughter.
Call a family member.
Text an old friend.
Go to the pool with someone fun.
Do a favorite activity together (bowling, shopping, golfing, an escape room, etc.)
Join a book club or sports team (pickleball, softball, volleyball, etc.)
Be intentional about connecting around the dinner table a few times a week.
Hang out with those you live with in the evening.
Put your cell phone away when you are connecting with others in person. (Research has found that the presence of a cell phone interferes with connection.)

Connect with Yourself

Creating time to connect with yourself can be a challenge in our busy lives; it can also bring up feelings that we miss as we rush through the day. You may feel happiness, peace, excitement, or other more difficult emotions. It may be easy to lean into the "positive" emotions; however, it's important to accept all your emotions without judgment or an attempt to change them. Just notice them at first.

Emma Seppala, Ph.D., explains that “adults, in an attempt to bury and control their emotions, often carry them with them for years. Allowing the emotion to arise and giving it our full attention may be a key to letting it go.” Strong emotions can also provide information, showing us what we find important and when we need to address something.

Connecting with yourself will look different for everyone. Here are some ideas to try…

Go for a relaxing walk.
Lie in a hammock.
Try meditation.
Read a book and contemplate your reaction.
Take some time to journal.
Do a guided self-compassion meditation (with Kristen Neff).
Practice box breathing (also known as Four Square breathing).
Use art as a tool for self-connection. (You don’t have to be an artist; even an adult coloring book can help with reflection.)
Experiment with the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise.
Work with a therapist to connect with your inner world.

Connecting with Nature

According to Seppala, a recent study shows that “taking walks in nature can increase our well-being even in the case of depression, and another study showed that exposure to nature increases our value of connectedness and closeness.”

Don't Have Time

You may have to get creative to make room for connection. Here are some ideas...

Double Up - connect with yourself or others outside; it will allow you to connect with nature at the same time.
Piggyback - get there early or stay late when meeting a friend; it will give you some time for solitude.
Together - consider having a conversation with the people you love most; it is easier when they are also committed to these connections.
Intentional - be mindful of the time you are already spending with others and use it to connect. (Putting your phone down can be a game-changer for this.)
Errands - bring someone along and connect on the go. Try to bring some fun into it, even if it takes a little longer.
Already Activities - invite people into things you have to do anyway, like eating lunch or walking the dog.

Let me know what you have done this week to encourage these connections. We can also talk about challenges you are facing with connection; just bring it up at your next appointment.

Dr. Jamie

P.S. For more great ways to improve your social connections, check out the National Institute of Health’s Social Wellness Toolkit.

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