HealthyMinds/HealthyBodies February 2011… Connect With Others… Live Your Life Well

 

             February is a time to think of Connecting with Others…letting others know you care.  Here are some

             tips from Live Your Life Well.  Humans are social animals: We crave feeling supported, valued and

             connected.  Research points to the benefits of social connection:

 

  • Increased happiness. In one compelling study, a key difference between very happy people and less-happy people was good relationships.
  • Better health. Loneliness was associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure in a recent study of older people.
  • A longer life. People with strong social and community ties were two to three times less likely to die during a 9-year study.

 

               If you feel your current connections don't provide enough support, you can take steps to form

               new ones. Consider these suggestions:

 

·         Enroll in a class that intrigues you.

  • Join a book group, hiking club or other group

  • Volunteer.

  • Reach out—a lot.

 

               If you want to get more out of the relationships you have, consider these steps:

 

  • Make a list of the people you want to contact regularly. If necessary, add a reminder to your calendar.
  • Commit to a certain amount of time together each day or week—without distractions
  • Listen really well. Repeat what you heard.
  • Ask for specific kinds of help. Even the best of friends can't read your mind.
  • Show how much you respect, support and appreciate your friends and family.
  • Move out of relationships that make you feel unsafe, lower your self-esteem or draw you into unhealthy habits, like abusing drugs.

 

               Of course we know that this month of February includes Valentine's Day where we should let

               those around us know that we love them and appreciate them.
               Take a look at two health observances during the month of February and ways for you and

               your friends to stay healthy and connected.

***American Heart Month (http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/) . There are lots of activities during the month. Help is at the website for the first step in making your changes.  It includes some “ Life Simple 7” tips.

***  National Eating Disorder AwarenessWeek (Feb 27th-March 6th) (http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/) Share information with a friend.

 

    Brought to you by Beatrice Community Hospital Gage County PATCH Community Health Promotion HealthyMinds/HealthyBodies Education Campaign

    Sharon Langvardt, MS, LCIMFT PATCH coordinator and BVBH Marriage and Family Therapist slangvardt@bchhc.org or slangvardt@bvbh.net  228-3386   

 
 
 

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