CMHA Mental Health Week: Getting Real & Social Connection

It is so crucially important to practice honesty and GET REAL about how you feel. This week is the Canadian Mental Health Association's Mental Health Week! Every year they have a theme and this year it is get real and social connection. What do we mean by real? We mean being courageous to reach out if you are struggling. Getting real and honest with your mental health especially in a time where our world has changed so significantly. Now more than ever it is important to lean into our support system- or seek out community resources if you feel you have limited social supportive connections. Our social connections refers to our family, friends, colleagues and community members. Social connection is so important in these times of physical distancing due to covid-19. Dr. Hinshaw has said it again and again: it is not social isolation but physical distancing. 

Just as social isolation can cause health problems, being socially connected can have huge positive benefits on mental and physical health. Social connection has been shown to reduce stress and give a sense of meaning, purpose and belonging. Studies have shown literal physical changes such as reduced blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones. Expressing our true feelings and emotions are pivotal to deepening and strengthening any kind of relationship or friendship. One thing that is fundamental about humans is our social nature. Studies have found that sharing our emotions with a friend/loved one helps actually minimize the impact of negative emotions and enhances the impact of positive ones! This generates a positive feedback loop of social, emotional and physical wellbeing! Wouldn't it be nice to fall into a positive cycle for once instead of a negative one?

Not only is being open and real about your emotions and mental health beneficial to you, but it also will promote a welcoming and empathetic environment among you and your friend/family member/loved one. A mutual environment. Vulnerability is the most important ingredient to an intimate and trusting relationship. If you haven't before, make sure to check out Brenee Brown's work on vulnerability below. 

It can be scary to show your real self and your real emotions - but remember it is worth it and YOU are worthy of it. You are not meant to carry burdens and emotional turmoil alone.

Together we are stronger together, even from 6 feet apart. 

Resources & Studies

Social Connection is the Cure

Canadian Mental Health Association

7 ways to #GetReal about how you feel

Beautiful friendship: Social sharing of emotions improves subjective feelings and activates the neural reward circuitry