Are you well connected?

With social media, the internet and so much information available, many people feel they are well connected to the world as a whole.  My question for you is  - how well do you feel you are connected to those closest to you?  Have you ever stopped to think how your being connected to social media, your iPhone, blackberry or email may be affecting your kids?  Many people comment how social media is making their teenage children less interactive on a face to face level but fail to notice the same from their children's perspective.  In something I have been reading recently, it was pointed out that kids are making the same comments about how they wish their parents would switch off from social media, turn off their phones and email and take the time to connect with them and notice the every day milestones.  These 'milestones' can be so easily overlooked from first words, the personal best in a race, the delight of a pre-schooler who saw a beetle shed it's skin or the joy of the family playing rough and tumble or paper planes together.  

Being present when you are with your loved ones and really taking the time to connect and interact can make a big difference not only to them but also to your enjoyment and fulfilment in life.  Skipping from email to Facebook to SMS's and back again gives you a shot of dopamine (an addictive 'short term happy' hormone) but it fails to provide the oxytocin release you require for true, deep, fulfilling connections like people get from gazing into their babies eyes when they are feeding or from actual physical hugs.  

​With this festive season approaching, consider taking some time to switch off from the superficial connections and instead taking the time and focus to reinforce some of the deeper more meaningful bonds that will keep you happy for the long term.

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