Coming out of hibernation- the importance of human connection

Winter is winding down, although the weather is making a last stand. We are in full swing of our Winter challenge, for the first time in Camp 7 and 8. Jason and I have just 3 weeks ago returned from a wild adventure in Mabuasehube, Botswana and like many of you, we are slowly coming out of our winter hibernation, in anticipation of spring.

Winter is one of my favorite seasons, but it does entice late mornings in bed and a good measure of doing less, which is not good for us. Our joints become more stiff, our muscles less toned and many experience a little more pain. Why do I love Winter? It is exceptionally beautiful in Cape Town during winter. The mornings are crisp and clear, the air feels better and you can watch the new life forming in nature, waiting to burst open. I do feel, though, that this time of year feels slower and more calm, especially when the world feels a little (sometime a a lot) mad. I feel its the best time to reset and restart.

We are feeling especially grateful and certainly constantly reminding myself to soak it all in. Jason and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary while we where away, we have 3 unique and incredible children and work that is rewarding and fulfilling. In a world divided and divisive, taking a minute every day to recount our blessings helps restore our souls. Winter can sometimes pull a person into dark spaces and here I wanted to write about the importance of connection and reconnection. This is a key concept we try teach and encourage with our children, not the electronic kind, but real friendships and relationships and learning to know the difference. We recently celebrated our daughter's 16th birthday and had a "sweet 16". Jason and I sat in a corner, keeping a steady supply of food and mocktails and watched, as she, and over 20 friends from all walks of life, dance and talk and play games. Our hearts filled to overflowing. I think we sometimes need a reminder how important human connection is in our lives.

Importance of Human Connection

Human connection is fundamental to our well-being and plays a crucial role in various aspects of life. Here are some key points highlighting its importance:

• Emotional Support

Human connections provide emotional support during challenging times. Friends and family can offer comfort, understanding, and encouragement, which can alleviate feelings of loneliness and anxiety.

• Mental Health

Strong social connections are linked to better mental health. Engaging with others can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety, contributing to a more positive outlook on life.

• Physical Health

Research indicates that individuals with strong social ties tend to have better physical health. Positive relationships can lead to lower blood pressure, reduced risk of chronic diseases, and improved immune function.

• Personal Growth

Interactions with others can foster personal growth and development. Sharing experiences and perspectives can enhance self-awareness and lead to new insights and learning opportunities.

• Sense of Belonging

Human connection fosters a sense of belonging and community. Feeling connected to others can enhance one’s identity and provide a support network that contributes to overall happiness.

• Improved Communication Skills

Building and maintaining relationships enhances communication skills. Engaging in conversations helps individuals express themselves better and understand others more effectively.

• Increased Resilience

Having a strong support network can increase resilience in the face of adversity. Knowing that others are there to help can make challenges feel more manageable.

• Enhanced Quality of Life

Overall, human connection enriches life experiences, adding joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose. It is essential for cultivating a happy and meaningful life.

So what can you do?

This is what we try teach our kids and what we try practice ourselves in finding and maintaining connection.

• Start by reconnecting with important people in your life, send that extra message, make that extra call.

• Tell your friends and family what you appreciate about them, it is often said that those close to us know how we feel, but it is so important to actually say it, and more often

• Don't be afraid to take a chance in talking to new people, ask questions and discover the stories of others

• Join group activities, exercises classes, walking or running groups, start a new hobby. All these activities can bring you joy alone, but it is so much more worth it together.

• Start a dinner club, coffee club or any club! Meet regularly and make that effort. Often we are too tired to get going, but we know once we start, we never regret it.

• As important as it is to maintain our connections, it is important to re-assess that they are healthy. Sometimes we need to let go of unhealthy situations that break us down. This may require a lot of introspection, and some acknowledgment of our own flaws, but this journey in itself is valuable.

• When you bugger up, own up. None of us is perfect and everyone deserves a chance to be be redeemed, but starting with an acknowledgement of your part is important.

• Celebrate together, more often.

• If you bad at remembering important dates, use a reminder, calendar

The online world sometimes feels like it is taking over many relationships, especially for our kids, and one key point we always remind them of is those relationships are not real unless you have met and know them in real life, otherwise it is an avatar world, where people can pretend to be who they want. It is very import to us that they have real life connections, and meaningful engagement with people, but always remember, kids do as we do, not as we say!