Community as Medicine
Community as medicine.
If it wasn’t clear two years ago, I believe it is now apparent how crucial community is to individual health and the social fabric of society. Social distancing and isolation like what we’ve experienced are unprecedented and opposite of the “normal” response to a crisis. Humans are social beings, and we seek comfort through unity during trying times. There are many ways to view the current pandemic and one of them is from the perspective of collective trauma and exhaustion. I don’t think it really matters where on the spectrum you lie. Everyone is tired; we are soul tired.
We are in a time of too much information and not enough information. We are overwhelmed with incessant information from news and social media outlets while we are completely lacking in real presence and engagement with others. In Chinese medicine, there is a concept that digestion isn’t just physically what we consume but also the mental and emotional consumption of information. Like eating too much food, too much information overwhelms the system and emotional constipation or diarrhea is the result. Many of us are stuck in this state of overwhelm and exhaustion even when the rest of our lifestyle choices are healthy and balanced. So, what can we do about it?
Turn off the news.
Disconnect from the noise. It’s too much, so turn it off. Slow down the mindless scrolling through social media. It feeds the dopamine cycle in the brain and we are addicted to our screens, but turn it off. Check in on occasion if you need to stay informed, but do it less often. There are more important things in the world and in your life than the continual headlines and the false sense of connection created through social media.
Engage in community.
Whether it is with family or friends, find a way to connect. It could just be one person but there is a human need for a sense of belonging and connection. If your options are minimal, give back to your local community, hold a door open, or simply practice random acts of kindness. The act of giving and practicing kindness creates meaning, purpose, and connection.
Be present.
Be near someone, have a slow conversation, be intentional, and look around you. Observe and maybe for a moment, everything slows down. We are going to have to figure out how to be with one another again. It’s important for our mental health and our social health.
Choose your community wisely. Find people that care. Your community is what’s going to help you through trying times. These are the people that show up with food or helping hands. They are the ones that hug you tight and hold you accountable. The collective life force is stronger than one in isolation, and it is collective energy and love that helps move us forward.
