Core Areas of Connection for a Healthy Life
At the Center for the Connected Self, we focus on what we call the 6 Cs of connection, which represent the six foundational elements of a healthy, satisfying, meaningful life. These Six C’s (Connection to Authentic Self, Emotions, Body, Etc) are not independent elements. Problems or dramatic improvements in one area will likely affect all the others as well.
The 6 C’s
- Connection to the Authentic Self
- In a world with many social pressures, it can be easy to find yourself adapting to expectations of the people around you. Over time you may find that you have lost touch with who you are on a core, authentic level. Better connecting with your True Self not only gives you a deeper sense of identity, but it can also help you to ensure that your actions are consistent with your personal values.
- Connection to Emotions
- Having a healthy relationship with your emotions is a key aspect of mental health. This is about having access to your emotions (all your emotions) without feeling flooded or overwhelmed. It’s also about being in touch with your true feelings, rather than feeling emotionally numb. You’ll experience the great power that comes from learning how to feel and express your emotions in a way that honors what’s most important to you and the people you care about.
- Connection to the Body
- Our minds and bodies are connected in a much deeper way than we often acknowledge. Not only does out physical health have a dramatic impact on our mental wellbeing, but our emotional life can impact bodily processes, like our sleep, sexual functioning, or even physical pain. Improving the connection between mind and body can improve your mental, emotional, and physical health as a whole. Without connection to the body, we human beings tend to live solely in our head, sometimes trapped/suffocated/drowned by worry, confusion, anxiety, and doubt.
- Connection in Close Relationships
- For many of us, our closest relationships are both the source of our most profound pleasure and our greatest pain. These can include relationships with family, friends, romantic partners, coworkers, neighbors, etc. Understanding our habitual patterns and how we tend to relate to others can make a huge difference in our ability to create and maintain fulfilling relationships.
- Connection to Community
- Though we may have a certain sense of fulfillment in our jobs or families, sometimes life can seem a bit routine. Secretly we might long to be connected to something greater than ourselves and our immediate concerns. Having a connection to that which lies outside of our immediate circle can be the catalyst that turns routine experience into something truly vibrant.
- Connection to Life Purpose
- Whether or not you have strong religious or spiritual beliefs, it is important for each of us to have a connection to a sense of meaning or purpose in our lives. When we feel connected to a “Big Why,” it can help align our actions with our deepest values. This can enrich our work lives, home lives, and relationships.
