Staying connected during these uncertain times keeps us healthier and happier.
Staying connected is not a nice thing to do; it is an essential thing to do. Humans have been creating new and innovative ways to exchange information and share ideas for as long as we’ve existed. Socialising and connecting is what we do well. Yes, the nature of our interactions has changed since early humans first experimented with symbols and cave paintings but the fact that we humans are profoundly social creatures has not changed. We love to connect.
If we want to come out of this crisis with our minds, spirits and values intact we need to value the importance of staying connected. You might not get the same burst of Oxytocin (cuddle hormone) that you get from a hug or a face-to-face chat, but it is the next best thing.
The good news is that we humans have a natural ability to pull together in a crisis. As long as we have a phone and the internet we can talk and have real meaningful conversations with people. Social distancing should have taught us that a live human connection with a real voice is 100 times better than an email or text. It is all about the feel-good factor. The more you get and the more you can pass on the better the world will be. Human connection creates a positive loop of physical and emotional well-being and happiness. Human connection makes us feel close to other people. We are showing people we care. We are paying attention to them on a level that an email or text cannot do. Connecting with people who have a positive outlook can make us laugh and there is nothing like humour to help us face life’s challenges.
Whilst talking helps us to feel better, doing fun activities with work colleagues, family and friends creates a sense of purpose and a feel-good factor that we all need bucket loads of right now. Creative activities that colleagues have had all of us QUINNIES doing have included making Origami zoo animals (I failed) and desk Yoga (I managed that one). Thank you, Rebecca and Yasamine. Rachel keeps us supplied with pics of her and our much-loved dog Patch. He keeps us sane and amused with his antics and dress up sessions.
In a work situation having shared goals helps. When we all work together there are multiple benefits. We create empathy for one another. We share experiences and ideas. We share humour. We help on another and care for one another. There are many lessons to learn from working in isolation during lockdown. Working remotely can be a lonely place so you need a great support crew to keep you human and stay connected. Who are your support crew?
Robbie Quinn
