Connection

Making connection is so important for our well-being as human beings. We witnessed this after the COVID lockdown we had to learn to re-socialize and connect to others.

Since then, we have find a different world out there where people are ruder to each other and a lot more anxious and sadder.

Based on previous studies, mental health experts recommend re-learning to connect to others to alleviate some of the symptoms of being in long-term isolation. It takes practice and expertise to socialize and re-socialize(Andrade, et al., 2023).

Even those among us who consider ourselves loners (or hermits), still need that connection whether, it is help with shopping for groceries or ordering meals (hello, DoorDashers and Instacarters!), watching TV or playing video games. There are also human beings to make the behind-the-scenes connections happen.

Covid lockdown was an unusual event for most and we may never see such a massive anti-social event again in our lifetimes.

My Personal Experience

As one who has been in an isolated environment many times due to a life-time of long-term hospitalizations, I can tell you from personal experience it is not easy to re-socializing by connecting to others, but it is so very important to being a whole person in the real world. Re-socializing is like learning a new skill all over again.

Fall/Winter: Seasons of Germs

As Flu and Covid season come around again, this may not be the time to cut oneself off from the human experience. Rather, it may be healthier for your mental health to connect to others. Instead, take steps to protect yourself while you are in public. Wear a mask if you, feel you need to. Get vaccinated ASAP, if recommended by your medical professional.

And do yoga!!! Yoga is something you can do without getting or spreading germs while still connecting.

Connection in Yoga

The therapeutic effects of yoga have been shown to increase the quality of life. (Woodyard, C., 2011).

In yoga, we may go to a class for the social connection with other humans. Yet, the human that we most deeply connect to in yoga is ourselves. So, yoga is really something you can do without other humans present. You are socializing within yourself. For some that can be scarier than the external human connections we have.

Connection

Making connection is so important for our well-being as human beings. We witnessed this after the COVID lockdown we had to learn to re-socialize and connect to others.

Since then, we have find a different world out there where people are ruder to each other and a lot more anxious and sadder.

Based on previous studies, mental health experts recommend re-learning to connect to others to alleviate some of the symptoms of being in long-term isolation. It takes practice and expertise to socialize and re-socialize(Andrade, et al., 2023).

Even those among us who consider ourselves loners (or hermits), still need that connection whether, it is help with shopping for groceries or ordering meals (hello, DoorDashers and Instacarters!), watching TV or playing video games. There are also human beings to make the behind-the-scenes connections happen.

Covid lockdown was an unusual event for most and we may never see such a massive anti-social event again in our lifetimes.

My Personal Experience

As one who has been in an isolated environment many times due to a life-time of long-term hospitalizations, I can tell you from personal experience it is not easy to re-socializing by connecting to others, but it is so very important to being a whole person in the real world. Re-socializing is like learning a new skill all over again.

Fall/Winter: Seasons of Germs

As Flu and Covid season come around again, this may not be the time to cut oneself off from the human experience. Rather, it may be healthier for your mental health to connect to others. Instead, take steps to protect yourself while you are in public. Wear a mask if you, feel you need to. Get vaccinated ASAP, if recommended by your medical professional.

And do yoga!!!

Yoga is something you can do without getting or spreading germs while still connecting.

Connection in Yoga

The therapeutic effects of yoga have been shown to increase the quality of life. (Woodyard, C., 2011).

In yoga, we may go to a class for the social connection with other humans. Yet, the human that we most deeply connect to in yoga is ourselves. So, yoga is really something you can do without other humans present. You are socializing within yourself. For some that can be scarier than the external human connections we have.

This internal connection requires deep exploration of the self. Many are never ready to do this. And yet, for others it is a path to a life-long journey of self-discovery where we unite the body, mind and spirit. After all, the word yoga which comes from the Sanskrit word yug means unity or connection within oneself. Unifying the body, mind, and spirit addresses the entire human experience (Woodyard, C., 2001)

The earliest yogis were meditators. It was movement that was later incorporated to prepare the body for sitting for long periods of meditation. The word asana which we use to name the different postures actually translates from Sanskrit to English as "sitting."

While yoga may be a strictly physical activity for some, as you perform the postures (asana) you will find an integration of the mind-body connection. Looking at yoga as a moving meditation helps you to discover your spiritual connection or your peaceful inner journey.

Resources and Further Readings

Andrade, A., D'Oliveira, A., Dos Santos, K. M., Bastos, A. C. R. F., Corrado, S., Vilarino, G. T., & Diotaiuti, P. (2023). Impact of social isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on the mood profile of active and sedentary older adults: physical activity as a protective factor. Frontiers in public health, 11, 1221142. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1221142

Woodyard C. (2011). Exploring the therapeutic effects of yoga and its ability to increase quality of life. International journal of yoga, 4(2), 49–54. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3193654/

Photos Credits

Yoga Holding Feet. Photo by cottonbro studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-sitting-on-brown-carpet-4327147/

Women Doing Yoga in Class. Photo by Rui Dias: https://www.pexels.com/photo/women-performing-yoga-on-green-grass-near-trees-1472887/

Young Woman with Coffee Cup. Photo by Anete Lusina: Yhttps://www.pexels.com/photo/black-woman-with-beverage-resting-on-bed-at-home-7269439/