The GenWell Project, a global human connection movement, is on a mission to make the world a happier and healthier place by reminding people about the importance of face to face human connection and inspiring them to take action and get connected.
The research on the benefits of social connection is clearer than ever before. Spending time with others face to face can reduce anxiety and depression, increase empathy, compassion and resilience and can even make us live longer. Maybe even more importantly in our daily routines, social connection is the single largest indicator of happiness in our lives. For some this may not be news, but for all of us the importance and the clarity of the message likely is.The GenWell Project shares daily information, research, tips and motivation about the importance of human connection in our lives and the many barriers we face, which keep us from spending more time with family, friends, neighbours and colleagues. In addition, we activate around two weekends a year (spring and fall) when we want to be the catalyst for people to reach out and get connected, whether for their own benefit or for that of someone they know who may be facing a challenge or may not have the motivation to do so.
Back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, there were so many aspects of life that led us to spend more time face to face each day. Whether it was larger families, smaller houses, closed Sunday shopping, safer streets, shorter commutes and work days, less technology of all kinds, more front porches and shorter backyard fences, as just a few examples. Everything led us to spending more time with one another. Today, we live in the most fast paced and distracted time in history and it is easy for even the most conscious of us to forget to make the time to connect with those in our lives.
Research shows that the average person is spending five to six hours on their phones each day, that cases of anxiety and depression are on the rise across all age groups and that a greater percentage of people live and work in isolation than ever before. Many experts have claimed, for some time, that there is an isolation and loneliness epidemic already taking place in the senior’s community. Whether you have been directly impacted or someone you know, these facts are just the tip of the iceberg of what is happening right now and why we all need to be aware and take action.
The GenWell Project believes that we can make the world a happier and healthier place by reminding people that spending time with others can put context around the challenges they may be facing, help develop additional coping strategies and consider next steps or options that will assist in developing greater resilience moving forward.
We invite everyone to participate in the GenWell Project movement for our next GenWell Weekend, May 3, 4 and 5th. You can be part of the movement by registering your intention to get connected at www.GenWellProject.org . There is no cost to register and you and those you gather with get all the benefits that come from increased face to face connection. Whether it’s a coffee with a friend, a BBQ with colleagues or extended family or a pick-up game with the neighbours, it all adds up to a whole bunch of connecting face to face and it’s all part of the human connection movement.
We are thrilled to work with the Tamarack Institute to share the important message with their incredible community who are inspiring in the work that they do to reduce poverty and strengthen communities across this great country. Even those of us in the purpose-led space sometimes need the reminder to stay connected for our own health, so we can continue to support others.
Head on over to GenWellProject.org for more information and we look forward to hearing and seeing who you got connected with and the impact that spending time with others had on you. Together we can make the world a happier and healthier place one face to face conversation at a time.
Further your Learning:
- GenWell founder, Pete Bombaci will be presenting on an upcoming webinar on Social Connection in a Disconnected Era on March 26, 2-3 p.m. EDT. Click here to learn more, and register for the webinar.
