Written by: Amanda Cottrell, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
How often do you go through your daily routine on autopilot? You get up, get ready for work, get the kids to school, do your regular daily routines without really thinking about what you are doing. You rush from task to task with little connection to what you are actually doing. Then waste countless amounts of time mindlessly scrolling through social media with little recognition of what is going on around you at that very moment.
So often, in our busy world, we rush from one thing to another with little attachment to any of the tasks or people that we are interacting with. This leads to a very disconnected, lonely society. We are less connected to “ourselves” and space our physical bodies are currently occupying. We are also less connected to the earth and nature, as many people live in large cities with little opportunity to immerse in the natural world. Yet, at the same time, we are more connected on a global scale than ever before in history through technology. Why is it that so many people feel disconnected and lonely?
Do you long for connection yet feel you get very little of it? You may want to ponder, “how often do you spend a few moments just connecting to yourself?” To get present in your body and truly experience what you are feeling at any given moment? I hardly ever bet unless you have begun a journey into mindfulness and meditation. Even if you have begun that journey into self-reflection and mindfulness, there may be different points that you fall off that path and need a reminder to get back on.
When you start to feel overwhelmed, depressed and anxious. This should be a big red flag to remind yourself of the need for connection and to guide yourself back to living a more balanced and joy-filled life.
Here are some sources of connection that can help when you start to feel disconnected, lost, and anxious.
Connection to self
You are our own worst nightmare or best friend. The only person who gets to decide what one wins is yourself. Your mind can play tricks on you and make you feel unworthy, lost, insecure, anxious, and depressed. The mind can also make you feel grateful, empowered, joyful, and truly at bliss. Often the first signs of stress can cause a person to go into an anxious state. This state can be overcome by connecting to your true self and knowing that you have the power within you to make your life better, even if it is just for a few moments. When feeling disconnected you can:
Slow down your breathing and connect to your breath.
Meditate and become aware of your thoughts and emotions without passing judgment.
Do something you love like reading, drawing, exercise, or any other hobby that helps you get out of the mind cycle and back into your body.
Connection to others
You get to choose who you surround yourself with. You can let positive, loving people into your life, or you can let people who suck the energy out of you. Either way, you get to choose who you let into your life. You may not get to choose your boss, family, or coworkers, but you do get to choose who you let into your inner circle and who you choose to spend your time with. If you find that you regulate yourself best by connecting with others, you can:
Call a friend, especially that friend who you know can get you out of your funk and brighten your day by making you laugh or reminiscing.
Friend therapy really is a thing. Take some time to get out with a good friend, even if it is just for a short walk, cup of tea, or even for just a good hug.
Make a point to reach out to someone you trust and love who has your back that you have not connected with in a while.
Connection to nature
There is research around how our bodies actually release happy hormones when surrounded by nature. Even having a plant in a classroom can improve students' well-being. If you are feeling disconnected, here are a few ways you can connect and center yourself through connecting with nature.
Go out for a walk in a natural area and, if you can, take your shoes off and walk in the grass. Feel the grass beneath your feet and just allow yourself to get grounded at the moment.
Go and sit near the water. Our bodies are made of around 60 percent water. Different water therapies have been used throughout history to help people heal, improve their mood and decrease anxiety.
Sit near or under a tree or even hug a tree. When my daughter was little, she would run around hugging trees, yelling “huggie” with such joy and laughter. There have even been studies that determined that hugging a tree can increase oxytocin levels in our bodies.
Get a little dirty and go play in the garden. Gardening has been proven to have calming effects. If you do not have a garden or space for one, you could even just go buy a plant or a herb garden that you can put in a window.
There are so many different ways to connect. If you feel disconnected, I challenge you to spend some time trying some of these activities and being really conscious about them. Put away your phone, let go of your to-do list and spend some time truly connecting. You may be very pleasantly surprised by the huge difference a few minutes of conscious connection can make to improve your mood and life.
Amanda Cottrell, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Believe! Create! Inspire! Amanda Marie Cottrell is a woman who wears many hats with a BA in Political Science, B.Ed in elementary education, M.Ed specializing in creativity and technology, Reiki master, yoga for young children instructor, artist, mom, author, illustrator, and teacher. She also runs an arts-based business teaching art and mindfulness workshops. As an educator of young children for over 14 years, Amanda’s passion is education and creativity. She believes that everyone has creative capacities. Her mission is to empower people by tapping into their unique creative gifts through connection and mindfulness. Namaste!
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