Magazine Article Review: Feel More Connected

Feel More Connected by Sharlene Breakey, Prevention, October 2025, 26-35.

Even with social network friends and family and workmates, many people still feel alone.  This article explores things you can do to build ties.  Recent studies show that true connection is just as important as diet, exercise and not smoking to physical and mental well-being.  Loneliness or lack of connection have become a real threat to health and well-being.  Connection is not just being around friends more often.  It is being connected to the planet and its creatures.  This includes mature, art, shop keepers, neighbors, a higher power, and even random people.

Six ideas for being more connected:

1. Connect through creativity.  Creating just for the fun of it creates positive emotions.  It is not important to be good, but to enjoy.  Dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin are released leading to increased empathy and joy.  But there is more, creativity is a way to connect with yourself.  You have positive inner talk and positive emotions.  

2. Find value in smaller moments.  Small moments would be casual conversations with neighbors or local store clerks.  Frequenting local business and talking with neighbors can create a sense that there are good people in the world, and lead to feelings of security.

3. Take the talk deeper.  People want to be connected as well, and having a sense of curiosity can help.  Every person has their own story to tell. 

4. Deepen your bond to nature.  Being part of something, having an awe experience reminds us we are part of an incredible large and beautiful universe.  The awe experience can happen in nature, or seeing a beautiful painting, or listening to a beautiful symphony.  Awe and wonder strengthen empathy and kindness.

5. Find a sense of Purpose.  Random acts of kindness and serving is the most important thing you can do to create connectedness for the world and yourself.  Acts of kindness have a bounce back effect which furthers belonging.  Volunteering has the same effect.

6. Find spiritual peace within.  Using prayer, mediation or pondering can lead to focus and deep calm.  This can also lead to deep gratitude.  This emotion itself leads to a well spring if interconnectedness.

Being connected effects the health of others as well, and it can be like a ripple in a lake and have a positive effect on many.