Connection

In our last blog post we talked about the fifth pillar of Holistic Self-Care, which is Rest & Rejuvenation. As we make more space in our lives to rest and restore, we also become much more open and available for deep and meaningful connection with ourselves, others and our world. To help us better see the value of healthy connection let’s talk about the sixth pillar of Holistic Self-Care, which is the pillar of Connection. 

The pillar of connection refers to having a healthy, happy, loving and supportive relationship with ourselves, others and the Greater Field of Life. Is it not true that most things and experiences in our lives come to us through the gateway of relationships?

By engaging in safe, secure and loving connections with others, we allow our heart, mind and body know that all is well, we are safe and we are not alone.

The pillar of connections invites us get clear on what style of being in connection feels best to you and how you can begin inviting more of that into your life.

Research confirms that having healthy connections with our family, friends and community is vital for our wellbeing. Most research suggest that this aspect of our self-care is just as important as eating healthy food, exercising regularly and avoiding habits such as smoking or drinking excessively.

Having a secure connection with our tribe tells our brain and nervous system that we are safe and secure and that if anything happens, we have people who have our back. Also, through healthy connection with others, we are offered the space to be seen, heard, loved and appreciated for who we are, which is yet another puzzle piece in maintaining optimal wellbeing.

The pillar of connection invites us to connect with our deeper intelligence, inner guidance and the intelligence of the Greater Field of Life. We also take time to connect with people we love in a way that creates space for everyone to be fully themselves and enjoy the security of knowing that we are loved, cared about and meaningfully supported. Here we might choose to have a weekly get together with our friends, family and community, call someone and have a meaningful conversation or organize a fun community event. The key here is to show up authentically, honestly and vulnerably, not matter what we decide to do to establish and cultivate more connection in our lives.

Just like with the last 3 pillars, I invite you to consider the 4 aspects of connection:

1. Physical-here we get clear on what kind of physical connection we enjoy most. Do we like being hugged and kissed often? Maybe we like to have our hair or cheek stroked? Do we enjoy cuddling often? Do we enjoy having our girlfriends hold our hand during challenging times? What kind of physical connection with others do you enjoy most?
2. Emotional-this aspect refers to having an emotional connection with the people in our lives. Are we comfortable being vulnerable with others? Do we skim the emotional surface in relationships or do we enjoy going deep? What about our emotional connection with ourselves? Are we there for ourselves or do we turn our backs on ourselves in times when we need reassurance and support most?
3. Mental-this aspect refers to connecting with others on an intellectual level. What kinds of conversations do we enjoy having? Which conversations leave us feeling happy and well, and which take away from our wellbeing? Which conversations leave us feeling heard, seen, loved and appreciated?
4. Spiritual-here we explore our connection to the greater field of life. Do we hear Life’s guidance coming to us in the form of our intuition or do we ignore it and opt out to doing what we believe we ‘should’ do according to our society’s belief structure? Do we trust that we are always loved and supported by a presence that is greater than what we can comprehend with our conscious mind?

Now how about you?

• What style of connection do you enjoy most on the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual levels?

• Are you getting enough healthy connection in your life?

• If not, what is in the way and what might you be able to do about it?

Thank you for being with us and I hope that by now you have quite a bit of clarity about what you might need to be healthy, happy and well. In our last post in the Holistic Self-Care Coaching Foundation Pillars blog series we will be talking about the seventh pillar of Holistic Self-Care, which is Gratitude.

Until then, much love and many blessings,

Julia