Connectedness

Creating a stronger bond with those you live with

Often times, we may be physically present with those around us, but is our brain present? With us being mentally m.i.a, we can lose out on precious memories with loved ones.

Here are some games, activities, and mindful reminders to help us be present in the present!

  1. Active Listening
  2. Practicing Compassion
  3. Spending Quality Time Together

Activity

Active Listening

What is active listening? Not just hearing what someone is saying, but thinking about what you already know about the things they’re saying, maybe there is something totally new you’ve never heard before so you have some questions. Your brain is ACTIVE about what you are hearing.

Try this:

Sit down with someone and have them tell you a story (true or made up). Tell them to be specific and descriptive while making it colourful and interesting. While they speak, actively listen to what they are saying, and respond to them by summarizing what they said. Repeating the important things they’ve said will help you to remember and this will help them to feel heard.

Then switch roles.

Ask Yourself:

Is this different from how you normally have a conversation with someone? How so?

Quote

Practicing Compassion

What is compassion? It is the ability to see the suffering of others and be willing to help in a way that relieves their suffering. This could be as simple as holding the door open for someone with a disability. Or going grocery shopping for a grandparent who cannot go for them self.

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward”

– Princess Diana of Wales

Games

Spending Quality Time Together

What can you do for someone in your home, or someone else? Set an intention of performing an act of kindness for someone else. Go and do it, without expecting something in return.

  • Play board games, cards, puzzles and other games around the house.
  • Play 21 Questions, test to see if they really know you! Ask them a question that they should be able to answer about you. If they get it right, it is now their turn to ask you a question about them. If they answer wrong, tell them the answer, then ask another.
  • Play would you rather. Click here for some would you rather questions for kids!

Connectedness

Creating a Stronger Connection with Others

During this lockdown, though we may not be able to go and spend time with the important people in our lives, it is still very important that we reach out and stay connected. 

Here are some ways you can still strengthen your relationship with loved ones outside your home.

  • Write a letter to someone in your home, or to others. You may want to take a picture of this letter and send it to your friend via email or another messaging platform.
  • Make a picture: think of someone you miss spending time with, what was your favourite thing that you would do together? Paint, draw, colour, or cut and paste with different coloured paper what you like doing together! Take a picture and send via messenger, or put it in an envelope and mail it to them!
  • Call them: read the same book (virtually, or an audio book)! Have weekly checkpoints of pages you will both read. Call and talk about your thoughts on the book! Watch a movie you both would have gone and seen together, then call to discuss what happened.
  • Start an exercise club: using an online resource (a youtube video, etc), or make up your own workout! Collaborate with your friends and hold each other accountable to do it every day!
  • Work out: run to the mailbox and back home 2x, 20 jumping jacks, 20 ‘high-knee runners’, 20 ‘heel-to-butt runners’, 10 ‘reach for your toes then touch the sky’s’, etc.
  • Art storybook: create a storybook with your family and friends while getting in touch with your creative side!

    • To start: get a group of individuals together willing to participate. You will want a minimum of 5 people for this activity to work best. 

    • STEP 1: Each person will create a picture using any means available. You may choose to draw, paint, cut and paste. Be sure to include at least one or two elements, people/places/themes so that you can use it for the story portion later. 

    • STEP 2: Place the images into a sequence, for example place the images in order of the artists birthdays from january to december. You now have the sequence of pictures that start, develop and end your story. 

    • STEP 3: Each person will write a story using these photos on their own. Have a set day when everyone will zoom/facetime/call to share their stories! There is no limit to the length of the story unless you set one as a group. Some of your stories may come out very different and that’s pretty cool! See what you come up with!