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Suzanne Heyn's avatar

Such an important article! Our bodies and brains definitely weren't designed for the dopamine-dense environment we live in today. Workaholism also greatly injured my nervous system, and a lot of my day is spent engaging in practices like meditating, yoga nidra, somatic yoga, anything to stay calm. I'm not always successful — a work in progress! I love how you write about connection because that is definitely my weakest link. I tend to process everything alone. Learning to share my feelings with my husband and talk through my problems might be natural for some, but it's definitely a learned behavior for me! Lots of wonderful suggestions in here. Thanks for another great read!

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Sandra Pawula's avatar

Suzanne, I love how you care for yourself and recover with all those fantastic calming practices. You have so much to teach us. Connection is my weak link, too. That's especially why I wanted to write about its benefits. It's a work in progress for me. Thanks for sharing your personal experience. We can learn so much from each other.

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KatSC's avatar

A wonderful read. Thanks for the reminder that me must carve out time for others. I do try, but often enjoy being alone as there are no distractions and I simply do what I want, when I want. The weather, at this time of year, plays a huge interference in me enjoying nature…but I try.

Merry Christmas Sandra.

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Sandra Pawula's avatar

KatSC, I understand. I prefer my alone time, too! I don't like small talk; it only feels like a genuine connection when the conversation goes deeper. It's so important to know ourselves and our tolerance for socializing. I'm glad I have a few close friends, so my connection needs are satisfied. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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Cathy Joseph's avatar

Connecting with each other and the world around us in a life-affirming, healthy way has such importance in our lives. How wonderful that you have those weekly catch-ups with your dear friends! And your connection with nature in Hawaii must be spectacular!

For me, phone calls and emails/texts with friends, and the beautiful parks near me are my prime sources of connection. They feed my soul daily. Thank you for sharing this, Sandra!

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Sandra Pawula's avatar

Cathy, I appreciate your prioritizing connection and how it feeds your soul daily. Phone calls and emails/texts are so important in our times when people live at greater distances. My weekly meet up with my best friends is food for my soul, too.

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Charlotte Rains Dixon, MFA's avatar

Wonderful, Sandra. It's interesting that you included connection with the natural world in your recommendations. I do pretty well in connections with people but don't get out into nature nearly enough. Thanks for the reminder.

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Sandra Pawula's avatar

Charlotte, Thank you! It can be challenging to get out in nature when our lives are busy—wishing you the best with that!

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