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Sitting in on the Tactics for Maintaining Mental Fitness During the COVID-19 Pandemic webinar with Dr Bill Howatt of Howatt HR this week we explored how to make a social connection while being in self-isolation, working from home and observing social distancing rules.

A social connection is a basic psychological need and we are auto-programmed to social thinking.Ìý It is incorporated into our life satisfaction and a central element to human evolution.Ìý Having a lack of connection for some can be the same as having physical pain sensations.

Dr. Howatt says improving your social connection can result in:

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Improved Immune System Function

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Decreased Chronic Disease

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Decreased Inflammation

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý 50% increase in Longevity

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Improved Sleep

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Higher Self-Esteem.

We need to prioritize making a social connection and we can do it in the following ways:

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Taking the time to listen to others

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Set up video chat time

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Use video work sessions

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Set up regular check-ins

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Ask about life outside of work

·ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Acknowledge successes and challenges

A valuable connection can be made by doing something as simple as saying hello and smiling at someone when you are out for a walk or waving to someone as they drive by the farm yard.Ìý These tools are also ways to charging your battery!

Take the M to see if you are charging your battery.Ìý I took the survey and found there were many really good questions in relation to mental well being that I hadn’t thought about before and found it valuable to go through the exercise.Ìý You may surprise yourself.

Submitted by Farm Safety Nova Scotia

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