The Power of Connections

Smiles, Laughs, and Hugs IRL

Over the past three weeks, I was reunited with friends and family I don’t see in person very often. We text, talk, and trade social media pleasantries, but we don’t meet IRL (in real life) due to distance.

When Arizona friends came to Indy we dined at Wolfies

There is a special feeling sitting next to our friend or family member, hugging them, and shaking a new person's hand when you meet them that was taken away from many of us by COVID.

When we touch, hug, or hold hands with someone we like or love, our bodies release the ‘feel good’ hormones. These include serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. After these hormones are released into our bodies, we experience feelings of relaxation and happiness, and our mood improves.

My cousin’s wedding in Nevada, OH on October 18th

There are health benefits too. Connecting with others physically may lower our blood pressure, reduce our reactivity to stress, and relieve distress from anxiety and depression. Many of us have read studies about the positive effect human touch has on babies and their physical, emotional, and behavioral development. For those who prefer not to have physical contact, rubbing a pet or sleeping with a weighted blanket, may provide similar benefits.

I didn’t think I was feeling particularly stressed in September. It was my first anniversary of being retired. There were many activities I planned to accomplish in Year One that didn’t happen. While these goals were self-imposed, I am a woman who checks items off my ‘to-do’ list like the universe has a grading rubric. I want an A+ with a smiley face.

October Arrived. Friends Arrived. Family Arrived. We Laughed (a lot). We Danced. We Celebrated. We Connected. We Ate. We Shared Stories. We Made New Stories. The first three weeks of October were a re-connection! I feel like a lamp that was given a new high-wattage bulb. I felt the healing power of connection and began thinking of Older, Bolder & Better! readers—who may not feel bolder or better at the moment.

Wedding Fun, Laughter, Dancing, Music, Lights- Lots of ‘Feel Good’ Hormones!

The most wonderful time of the year, or the most dreaded time of the year (depending on how you look at it) is approaching. There are 38 days until Thanksgiving in the U.S. And, to my readers across the pond, (I’m looking at you, Graham) there are several November holidays in the U.K. There are 64 days until Christmas. Now is the time to begin thinking about what we can do to have our holidays recharge us. How do we want to spend the holiday season? If 2023 was great, how can we recreate it? If it was a year to improve on, what can be done differently?

If you want to feel good by doing good, many organizations are delivering holiday meals to shut-ins and seniors. If we want to give before settling down to our meal, volunteers can help by donating, making deliveries, or preparing to-go containers. Donating at the holidays is a great way to show children how to give at an early age. There are always families less fortunate than our own and knowing we have helped others increases all those “feel good” hormones mentioned earlier.

Have you ever adopted a child or family in need for Christmas? Years ago, my department at work would adopt a family or two during the holidays and each employee would buy a gift. The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, United Way, The Red Cross, and local churches will match us with a family we can shop for and bring the gifts back to the charity. Many charities have a team of volunteers delivering the gifts before the holidays, that is another way to help.

Making the world a better place by helping others=intrinsic benefits

Now is the best time to start planning our IRL holiday connections with friends and family!

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