When we come together and share experiences, we gain empathy and understanding for one another. This helps us better understand the world around us and how our actions can impact others. Ultimately, togetherness gives us the strength and support we need to succeed.
People with strong social networks live happier lives, have lower instances of depression, and are significantly less likely to die from heart disease or most other chronic conditions. The health benefits of friendships are well-documented, but turning principles into practice can be difficult.
Living with long-term health conditions and disabilities can make it extremely difficult to maintain a good connection with the outside world. This can be due to many factors including a lack of confidence, loss of social connections due to poor health or even a lack of understanding from family, friends and colleagues, especially after a difficult diagnosis or flare-up of a chronic condition.
Finding ways to be with others is crucial to feeling happy and fulfilled in our everyday lives but it can be challenging to find the right support at the time when we need it most.
A mix of both togetherness with others and the ability to feel comfortable with our own company is essential and will be different for everybody. Finding a good balance will lead to a better outcome.
We cannot always rely on the connections that we have with others to remain happy. We have to take control of our own situation at times and try and make the best of what we have. This can include learning to enjoy time with ourselves doing activities and hobbies that we enjoy.
Finding togetherness can come in many forms. For many with LTHCs, a support group can be the first step to finding something to help aid understanding, gain acceptance and provide a source of expert knowledge and shared experiences.
Other opportunities exist within online communities. One such group is Mobilates. A pilates-inspired community that works with those who have LTHCs, disabilities and mobility problems. As part of membership, social chats, crafting sessions, togetherness and a book club are included.
There’s an active Facebook group and a shared understanding of a variety of conditions and the issues that life can throw at people who experience challenges to their health and mental well-being. A safe place to share lived experiences.
Ongoing therapeutic support is available to individuals on a one-to-one basis by many different organisations across the country. The online phenomenon that has expanded since the pandemic has enabled groups and individuals to share their services more widely to support a range of individuals and groups to achieve happiness and a safe place to share worries and concerns.
Action For Happiness is another great example and if you are a fan of affirmations and all things positive then this could be the app that you are looking for. It includes daily quotes, a monthly themed calendar of positive actions to take to ensure your life is well-balanced and fulfilled and some live events with ‘happiness’ experts to support you in all aspects of your life.
Why We All Need Each Other To Succeed: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-togetherness-why-we-all-need-each-other-succeed-bryce-purnell/
Balancing Individuality and Togetherness: https://thenonanxiousleader.com/balancing-individuality-and-togetherness/
Mobilates homepage: https://www.mobilates.com/
Mobilates - Meet Callie: https://www.mobilates.com/callie
Meet with Callie - Booking Page: https://app.simplymeet.me/callie/121-online-mobilates?day=2024-06-07
Action For Happiness: https://actionforhappiness.org/
Action For Happiness — Monthly Calendar: https://actionforhappiness.org/calendar#download-block-anchor
Action For Happiness — Talks Library: https://actionforhappiness.org/talks-library