1st Pillar of Wellbeing
Social interaction with others is so important to us as individuals; be it with friends, family, team mates, work colleagues or the wider community.
In the case of the photo, this a group of people that train (or run) regularly throughout the year and get together every Christmas Eve morning for a 20km or 5km run. It's a wonderful way to raise money for a local charity and also get together and kick of the Christmas period.
Even with our limited French is was clear to see a sense of pride and a celebration of both dance and music. As guests (tourists) it ceratinly felt authentic and not something necessarily put on the visitors to the town.
Not only did we feel more connected with the local community but also did something new. It goes without saying that feeling part of a community is important in our every day lives (not just when we are on holiday) - so connecting with others that share your interests, values is key to establishing a longer lasting sense of community.
The most important things in life are the connections you make in life
Tom Ford
Interactions provide a sense of emotional connection and sense of community.
In fact, loneliness is one of the biggest factors that can affect our own mental health and wellbeing. Traditionally connecting with others was done face to face, enjoying a hobby with others or volunteering, however, online interactions can also provide the same connection. Certainly through lock down, our son really benefited from being able to connect with friends playing games online.
The key point is finding a community that enable a positive sense of interaction.
Why not try:
If you'd like to read more about the 5 Pillars of Wellbeing visit a previous post.
