Something that the Covid years taught us was the power of community, which had us clapping on our doorsteps for the NHS. Where we lived, some of our neighbours performed short jazz recitals to extend that sense of belonging every week.
So, it’s no wonder that this year’s Mental Health Awareness theme was community.
When we come together with others around a shared interest, whatever that may be, it can often fuel our passion and purpose for doing it on a regular basis. We’ve all experienced the pull of a group, and the mix of FOMO (fear of missing out) and FOLOD (fear of letting others down). Being part of a community gives us a sense of belonging and feeling connected to others, as well as creating new friendship groups around our chosen activity.
We know that being part of a community provides us with support, especially during difficult times. The Mental Health Foundation confirms that 86.7% of us rely on someone else during times of stress. When we are on the giving end of that support, it reminds us of that we know more than we realise and the distance we’ve travelled. In coaching terms, it’s moving from learner to teacher, a transition that we often don’t recognise until we share that nugget of wisdom with someone else.
Communities can be very practical as well as social; helping us unpick a ruckle in sewing, what to plant where and when, or even, what the lead character in a book is really trying to tell us.
Being part of a community helps us with our identity as we are often drawn to groups of like-minded people, who share our values, beliefs and often the views of the world. Helping to remind us of what we love, and what’s important for us to live a fuller life.
Being around others helps to reduce stress and isolation. The Mental Health Foundation suggests that 37% of adults feel loneliness as a result of their stress. Being part of a wider group increases our levels of oxytocin (our social bonding hormone) and serotonin (our mood boost), giving us a more positive outlook on life.
Often in a community we create accountability buddies as well as cheerleaders, those people who want to see us achieve our goal, whatever it is, and one set by us to often feel healthier, or happier.
There are communities everywhere, we only need to ask around, or Google where they are online or in person. But the first step is to tap into the ‘want’ that is looking to be filled – a creative, spiritual, physical, emotional, or social want. And then knowing what you are looking to fulfil, you can then explore which community to connect with.
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