Social connections are an important part of resilience, helping us to better handle challenges in our lives.

Hi, I’m Rosaly Cuevas, Behavioral Health Program Manager at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, and I’m here to talk to you about connection and the role it plays in resilience.

Even before we’re born, we’re connected to our mothers. Then, as we grow, we become connected to other people, things, places, and concepts that mold us into the adults we are today. Whether consciously or not, our lives revolve around connection and forming deep bonds with the world around us.

These connections are an important part of resilience, helping us to better handle challenges we face throughout our lives.

Let’s take a moment to think about the connections we already have in our own lives.

Try to think about 5 things you are thankful for because they have helped you in creating a meaningful connection.

This list can help you understand more personally what we’re talking about when describing connection.

So what do we mean when we talk about connection?

• According to the dictionary, to connect means to form a relationship or feel an affinity.
• Connecting is an art that requires you to empathize, to put yourself in another person’s situation.
• Connection requires respect and involves sharing similar interests, experiences, and values.

In a society where social media gives us the illusion of connection, we shouldn’t forget that real connection requires us to walk alongside others. Together we can navigate the obstacles and difficulties of life and build resilience.

Strong interpersonal relationships have a positive effect on our health.

Here are some tips to help you create meaningful connections:

1: Have a healthy interest in others. When you really are interested in other people you can genuinely relate to them and make significant connections.
2: Recognize and respect differences in people’s personalities.
3: Pursue things that interest you. You might find other people who share your interests.

Here’s one activity you can try right after this video:

• Create a bucket list of social activities you would like to do. Are there old friends you want to re-connect with? Is there a group you have been meaning to join? Keep your list someplace you will see it and act on it. And think about how each of those actions helps you build connections.

Remember that you do not have to face your challenges all alone.

As a recent article in the Harvard Business Review says, “Resilience is not something that we need to find deep down inside ourselves: we can actually become more resilient in the process of connecting with others in our most challenging times.”

Find out more about other resilience topics at bcbsri.com/resilience.