Redefining Connections
- newwavehosa
- Oct 2, 2024
- 3 min read
I’m going to start us off by asking a (hopefully) thought-provoking question. What does the word “connection” mean to you? After going around my school asking this question to students, I realized this isn’t a question we think to ask ourselves. But, why? Well, we often think of connection as a thing we build with people, our families and our friends. But, what if it could mean more than that? I invite you to join me on an exploration to find the real meaning of connection.
The simplest definition of a connection is a relationship. A relationship in which a person, thing or idea is linked or associated with something else. For our purposes, that “something else” is you. Now, the “person, thing or idea” is what I want to expand on. Since I think we’ve got a pretty good idea of what kinds of relationships we can form with “persons”, let's look at what “things” and “ideas” we can form relationships with.
Media
Sometimes we don’t realize that by listening to a podcast or reading an article or a book we start to build connections to our lives and the world around us. These pieces of media make us feel more globally engaged and connect us to people and places. I think you’d call this a global connection, the kind you’d be asked to make in English or History class (or IB French!). These kinds of connections are important because they link us to parts of the world we can’t reach and experiences we’ve never had.
Nature
The second kind of connection I’d like to cover are our connections with nature. I’m a bit of an environmentalist (which I think we all should be), so this type of connection is very important to me. Life, in all forms, can be found right outside our front door. Studies have shown that taking walks in nature can drastically improve your health, mental and physical. Have you ever been forest bathing? It’s a form of ecotherapy where you completely immerse yourself in nature to fully take in your natural environment. It could mean taking a walk or joining a guided tour through a trail. In the end, you should feel more relaxed, more focused and more energized. Nature can actually reduce your stress, lowering the production of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increasing endorphin and dopamine levels, making you happier. Doctors are actually prescribing nature for a number of mental and physical health issues, using forests as therapists. So, get out there and try it!
Art
Art forms provide a unique way to express and explore experiences, thoughts and feelings. There is a HUGE connection between art and mental health which I find extremely interesting to explore. As you create art, whether it be painting, writing, music, or one of the many other art forms, you release pent up emotions and self-reflect, working like a form of meditation. It keeps you centered and in the moment as you forget about your stressors. Research suggests that arts can contribute to lower stress, anxiety and depression. Many therapists recommend art therapy to help people work through personal issues and trauma. There’s so much potential in this form of connection, and so many different outlets to try.
Animals
Last but not least, our connections to animals! Pets are so important to our mental well-being, as many who are pet owners would know. Animal assisted therapy has been recommended for years (since about the 1960s) as it’s been shown to help people open up and ease conditions like PTSD and ADHD. Therapy dogs are commonly used in a range of therapeutic settings, including schools and hospitals. We form strong emotional bonds with our pets, one of the strongest connections you’ll ever feel. With your pet by your side, you’re less likely to suffer from depression, stress and anxiety and they can even help lower your blood pressure! And let's not forget about how much exercise you’ll get if you get an animal that needs frequent walks. If you’re like me and your parents won’t let you have a pet, volunteer at a local animal shelter and feel the mental health rewards of taking care of rescues!
So maybe the “thing” or ”idea” you connect to is listening to that suspenseful murder-mystery podcast, nurturing those geraniums in your yard, doodling after school, or playing fetch with Fido at the park. Connections can be made everywhere and with almost anything. So, what connections are you going to make today?
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