I’ve been thinking about stress and I’m noticing that what we might call stress can often be linked to types of disconnection.
We might be disconnected from our bodies when we ignore tiredness or skip meals.
We might be disconnected from others (and ourselves) when we hide behind a mask or we shut down.
We might feel disconnected from safety when we feel that everything is a threat.
In my psychotherapy training I see disconnection through our nervous system (fight/flight/freeze) and the effects on our relationships. In my social connecting work I see it in practical, lived ways – people cut off from a sense of community, from meaningful activities, or from access to a life others might take for granted.
Often what makes a difference is something small and grounding. Getting in touch with a friend, going for a walk, cooking something simple and nourishing, a pause to breathe and put both feet on the ground.
Today, I invite you to notice where you’re feeling stressed, listen to what connection you’re missing and find a small way to reconnect with your self, your body, your community, your values.