Alternative Ways to Foster Love and Connection

With so much going on in the world right now, I don’t feel it’s right to simply blog about food + lifestyle at the moment. And in the spirit of it still not being business as usual around here, I want to continue the conversation we started with last week’s meditation subject: the importance of LOVE + CONNECTION. 

We all need love and connection to balance out extra stress. Humans are biologically designed for interaction, and compassion and care are proven to help us feel calmer and more relaxed – dropping blood pressure, loosening tense muscles and elevating mood.

But with social distancing orders still in place in many states (and the rising number of cases in new hot spots), we still need to take precautions for our health.  So I have put together three alternative ways that you can cozy up, connect on a deeper level and show your love – even from a distance. 

1. Deeper Digging Donations

Mr. Rogers once shared some advice his mother told him: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” There are a lot of people in the world right now lending their time, energy and voice to keep us healthy and/or to make positive social change for our future. 

If you cannot physically join in their efforts – either because of health concerns, work obligations or family responsibilities – donating is a wonderful option. But don’t just click the donate button and close your browser. 

Take it a step further and put your cash directly in the hands of a human being (safely, of course). ????

I’m not saying don’t donate to organizations – far from it – but organizations are faceless entities to most people. We assume they do good work, but we often know very little about who runs them or how. So I encourage you to connect those big names with faces! 

And this goes for smaller organizations, local funds or inspiring artists and educators too.  

Follow them on social media. Sign up for their mailing lists. Read all their updates. Listen to their experiences and learn what inspires their passion. Ask them questions. Participate in their discussions and events.

The cause was obviously important to you or you wouldn’t have donated, so dig a little deeper and find out if there are other ways you may be able to contribute. 

2) Get Comfy with Uncomfortable Convos 

The movement against racial injustice going on in this country right now has spurred many of us to get introspective. It can be uncomfortable to reexamine your own behavior patterns or to reopen old wounds you thought had healed. It may be tempting to shy away from having difficult conversations, but now is not the time! 

Instead, how about creating a safe space to discuss your emotions and discoveries? Round up some girlfriends, family members,  and/or even colleagues. Create a set of guidelines to make sure that everyone feels they have a chance to speak without judgment and start meeting, even if it’s over Zoom. 

3) Art Imitates Life

As Carrie Fisher once said, “Take your broken heart and turn it into art.” Everyone is good at something, and sharing your gift with someone else is a great way to pass on the love. 

You can go big: Write a play, create a short film, compose music, paint a mural, sing, dance and share your work with friends and family (or if you’re daring, on social media!). 

Or you can go smaller: Record yourself cooking your favorite go-to recipe for other busy women. Sew masks and offer them up for free online. Create homemade postcards and mail them out. Put together a bouquet for a neighbor. 

The point is to take what you’re feeling and thinking about right now and turn it into something tangible that will brighten up someone’s day. It’s proven that when we help others, we feel the same joy (and health benefits) as the person we’re caring for, so start brainstorming!

How are you focusing on love and connection right now? Are you finding ways to continue the current conversation with a little compassion and love while still social distancing? Let me know by posting a comment in our Badass Beauty Club on Facebook.