What can we do to help others feel connected?
Sep 26, 2020
Our longing for connection is common.
As spiritual beings, we can support others to feel connected and thus also contribute to positive healing of others.
As Brene Brown quotes,
“I define 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.”
Here are 8 tips on how to support others and inquire about their sense of connection.
Trust your feeling that someone is struggling! Keep an eye on, patients your friends or family if you can sense something doesn’t feel right.Most people do not admit to feeling lonely, therefore an open question to see if they want to talk such as “It’s been awhile since we have connected, what interesting things have you been doing with others (or themselves)?”With patients in consultation, we can ask, “Who supports...What can we do to stay connected to others?
Sep 25, 2020
It is important to have a balance of staying connected to others and some time for self reflection.
We can connect with people, places, nature, philosophies and ideas.
2 important questions to help you and others reflect on the need of the spirit to connect :
What helps you feel connected?
What activities do you like doing, that could lead to forming or reigniting your connection (eg bush walking, joining a hiking group, spiritual community, spending time in nature, loved ones )?Honouring and Serving,
Simran K. Rattan MD
Simran K. Rattan MD
Connection with ourselves first
Sep 24, 2020
Connecting with ourselves affects how we connect with others.
We all vary in how we feel about connection and ways to experience it.
Understanding what connection means for us, takes time.
Some may connect with feeling at harmony and at peace.
Others may feel connected with the following:
Focusing and clarifying on what they want to do with themselves in livesSpending time in nature, taking time to reflect on our lives
Going for a walk, bike ride
Meditation, worship or prayer
Reading scripture or books of interest
Listening to spirit nurturing podcasts and videos or music
Creative art makingIn the process of self transformation and connecting with our inner being, we are better able to support others in their transformation also.
Consider answering, for yourself, these 2 questions:
How do you help your health partners (patients) to connect within themselves?What prescription do you write for others and yourself that...Benefits of healthy connection
Sep 23, 2020
Research has also shown a lack of connection can cause greater harm to health.
Dr Julianne Holt Lundstan has done extensive research on social connections and the impact of this on wellbeing.
She highlights 5 harms caused by disconnection:
Premature mortalityComparable to the risk of smoking 15 cigarettes a day30% risk greater of having a strokeGreater risk than obesity on healthGreater anxiety and depressionHere are 5 benefits of feeling connected:
50% greater survival than those with less connectionBetter self esteem and empathyStrengthens immune systemBetter emotional regulationBetter blood pressure.Honouring and Serving,
Simran K. Rattan MD
Simran K. Rattan MD
Connection is an important need of the spirit!
Sep 22, 2020
Reflect on the times when you have felt disconnected from people, a place, or a spiritual practice.
5 questions to Ask yourself:
What were you experiencing at the time?How were you feeling?What did you need, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually?What do you feel would have made you feel a sense of love, peace and belonging?How did you try to reconnect?We have all felt a sense of disconnection at some point in our lives.
Some may feel this feeling seems to persist forever, the need to belong, or to feel a part of a community of people where we feel love.
Our desire to feel connected stems from the need of our spirit.
We can feel isolated and alone.
There are differences in both, some may be isolated but not feel alone and others may not be isolated and with a large group of people and still feel alone.
Not all connections are positive. Healthy connection is important for our health. It is also important for community health and...
Navigating through uncertain times
Jan 19, 2020
There are times when you are sure about what you are doing and times where you have no idea what you are doing or why you are doing things.
It's the times when things seem unclear, when we can feel lost or stressed. During that time consider pondering on what is really holding you back. Focus on your strengths and what really matters to you. This will bring clarity, positive emotions and confidence back.
To help, These 3 questions can help you to navigate through stormy or uncertain times.
1) What has helped you in the past to navigate through uncertain times?
2) What tools or strategies have helped you to gain clarity in the past?
3) What is the service or value you want to contribute to others?
When I feel unclear on what direction to go, I reflect on the above three and add the question, how does this tie to my vision and needs of my spirit? One of my needs is connecting to the universal creative intelligent life force within, through meditation. When I think of how this ties to my...
Needs of the Human Spirit - Connection
Dec 28, 2019
Connection is one of the fundamental needs of the Human Spirit.
Honouring and Serving,
Simran Rattan