Ahhhh, spring and the great outdoors; it seems like life begins again after a ridiculously long hibernation! My neighbors are out walking their dogs, watching their kids on swing sets, digging in their gardens, and mowing their lawns. I do live in a neighborhood after all, but during the dead of winter, and a snowy one at that, one would never know. I am grateful to see people out and about, knowing that I really am part of a larger community and that any feelings of isolation are coming to a close, once again.

     

Every winter I vow not to have those long dark days make me feel less connected or make me wonder about those depressed feelings that seasonally affect so many of us in the northeast. It is that sense of belonging, having people to talk to and connect with that can help us feel less alone and frankly, happier! Community not only helps with isolation and reducing stress but the benefits also affect our physical and mental health as well.

 

“The strong positive association between a neighbourhood-based sense of community and symptoms of mental illness suggests that the neighbourhood is a meaningful form of community for giving and receiving assistance, building trust, and other contributors to well-being.” – Sense of community and mental health: a cross-sectional analysis from a household survey in Wisconsin

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Today, in America, suburbia offers us larger spaces, private yards and less congestion than urban life. However, sometimes with that extra space we need to put forth extra effort to connect. We want to make sure that some of our higher standards of living do not equate to more social isolation. Parks, community centers, libraries, and recreational facilities come with life in the suburbs and can foster connection when these amenities are appreciated and utilized. We all have a need to feel that we belong, it is important to our sense of identity and is vital to our psychological well-being; that feeling that we are a part of something larger than ourselves.

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