What is Renew?
As we all navigate the pandemic and look to rebuild a sense of normality, routine and restore our lives that are potentially very different from before, it is important to remember that each one of us will have been impacted by COVID-19. Our wellbeing, our mental, emotional and physical health will have been impacted.
Renew is a series of short development sessions designed for adults which you can do when and how best suits you. It has three key parts: an overview to Learn about the theme, some key content to Engage with; video, blog or something else and then something to Practice to help you develop the tools and skills needed to renew you. Each session should take no more than 30 minutes.
LEARN | ENGAGE | PRACTICE
For more information about Phase, who we are, what we do and why we are passionate about helping you to have the tools and skills needed to navigate this new normal, then visit our website phase-hitchin.org
Learn: Connecting
‘How can we know so many people and still feel so lonely”
We live in a time where it is easy to “know” or be connected to more people than ever before. And yet over 9 million people in the UK report feeling lonely always or often (British red cross and co-op, 2016), and 2/3 say they feel uncomfortable admitting they feel that way.
Loneliness has a profound impact on both our mental and physical health
Statistics on Loneliness (from ONS)
- In 2016 to 2017, there were 5% of adults in England who reported feeling lonely “often” or “always”.
- Younger adults aged 16 to 24 years reported feeling lonely more often than those in older age groups.
- Women reported feeling lonely more often than men.
- Those single or widowed were at particular risk of experiencing loneliness more often.
- People in poor health or who have conditions they describe as “limiting” were also at particular risk of feeling lonely more often.
- Renters reported feeling lonely more often than homeowners.
- People who feel that they belong less strongly to their neighbourhood reported feeling lonely more often.
- People who have little trust of others in their local area reported feeling lonely more often.
It is possible to have lots of friends and know many people, and yet still feel lonely. So what makes a meaningful friendship that satisfies and reduces those feelings of loneliness? What can you and I do to build better connection?
Engage
Here is a TEDx talk from Shasta Nelson, who explains 3 three common denominators for meaningful and intimate friendships that have been identified by social psychology.
This Ted Talk is 16 minutes in length.
Practice
Dr Dean Ornish – New York times bestselling author; world renown surgeon “I am not aware of any other factor in medicine – not diet, not smoking, not exercise, not stress, not genetics, not drugsm not surgery – that has a greater impact on our quality of life, incidences of illness and premature death from all causes [than love or intimacy]
- Which of these three factors could you focus on developing in your friendships / how can you intentionally move some of your relationships up the triange.
- Friendships work two ways – who could you reach out to, that needs a friend at this time.
If you want to think more
Your go to people: Use this resource to think through who your go to people are.
Credits:
Created with images by aitoff - "stormtrooper lego bicycle" • RahulPandit - "people sea beach" • Mylene2401 - "leaf rain weather"