Physical distancing instead of social distancing
The following came through my inbox the other day from Michelle and Joel Levey. It caught my attention and in response, I have chosen to embrace the shift in term from social distancing to physical distancing. I have found that the shift has released a sense of pressure that had arisen within me and I am more open to exploring new ways of social connection in this time of the need for physical distancing.
“If a living system is suffering from ill health, the remedy is to connect it with more of itself.”
Given how important it is for our health and well-being to maintain a feeling of connectedness, we have been encouraging our friends and colleagues to begin to shift memes and start using the phrase “physical distancing” instead of “social distancing” or “self-isolation.” Indeed, many research studies over the years have actually identified feelings of isolation and social disconnection as presenting the highest risk factors for poor health, low resilience, and vulnerability to disease.
At this time, when it is both wise and compassionate to be physically apart, we need even more than ever, to nurture our “social connection” instead of social distancing or isolation - both of which can be diminishing of our health and vitality.
Depending on how we individually and collectively, embrace the opportunities/challenges of these complex times, this could actually be a time for developing greater social connectivity, even intimacy, and more heart to heart, deeply meaningful time together, than many people may have experienced in their entire lifetime. Grief, bewilderment, unknowing, vulnerability, or feeling imperiled all have the potential to wake us up, to clarify what we really value and care about, and to focus our attention and priorities.”
From Michelle & Joel Levey, WisdomAtWork.
