RESOURCES

The power of mindfulness practice is now a well-known, science based fact. Even schools have started incorporating meditation and mindfulness practice in their classes. As we all become increasingly susceptible to stress and the pressures of modern life, finding ways to relax and unwind is imperative. This practice can positively affect all aspects of your life, but are there ways that mindfulness can improve your relationship? The answer is unequivocal—yes. In fact, there are many ways it can do that, so let’s take a look at some of the most beneficial ones.

Loneliness is central to being human. In many ways, there is no escaping it. Just like having a negativity bias is very human, we also tend to feel alone in our own skin periodically, whether we are actually alone or not. When loneliness becomes persistent, chronic or unshakeable is when it becomes problematic and can begin to significantly impact our mental and even physical health, contributing to the development of depression, anxiety or causing problems in our relationships or at work. It is important to understand that loneliness is not social isolation (though social isolation can certainly contribute to feelings of loneliness), it is the perceived state of feeling alone, which can occur around people and even within partnerships. In order to better understand loneliness, I will highlight 3 types of loneliness that have been identified in studies, and those are: Intimate, Social and Collective Loneliness. As I have spoken of previously, each of these forms of loneliness include elements of Ordinary Loneliness; that feeling that we are disconnected due to something lacking in us.

As we head into 2023, I wanted to share a personal story and offer support around ways to consider bringing limits and boundaries into this new year as a means to knowing yourself better and feeling more connected to others. This blog post has been brewing in me for me for many months, but simmered closer to the surface over the past weeks as I rested during the holidays and reflected on what has helped me be where I am in my life and what I hear that clients are yearning for. Funny enough, this exact topic came up in numerous sessions just this past week! I hope you find it useful.