At Seniors in Service, we’re following the lead of US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to make 2024 the “Year of Connection!” We live in a fast-paced, digitally dominated world, and it’s easy to overlook the profound importance of personal human connection. Humans are “wired” to need each other. Without this basic human need, our mental AND physical health can quickly decline.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I need more connection in my life,” you’re not alone. Chances are the people around you are feeling the same way. Be brave, reach out, and start a conversation.
Here’s the GOOD NEWS! Loneliness is easy to reverse. Start with the Surgeon General’s 5-for-5 Challenge. Pick 5 actions that build connection. These can be simple actions such as expressing gratitude to a friend, engaging your neighbor in conversation, or volunteering in your community (that’s my favorite). Then, commit to using these actions to connect with others each day for 5 days. After each action, reflect on how it made YOU feel. We’re confident that one of those feelings will be happiness.
Are you looking for more? Right now, we urgently need volunteers to serve as TelePals and Health Buddies. Anyone who is age 18 or older can help. As a volunteer you’ll provide regularly scheduled phone calls to an isolated senior, reducing their feelings of loneliness, while also building connection in your own life. Everyone benefits!
Join us and make this YOUR “Year of Connection!” Visit our website to learn how you can be a TelePal, Health Buddy, or serve alongside a vibrant community of volunteers in many other ways.
-Robin Ingles, CEO