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4 ways to support wellbeing by building valuable connections

3 young women laugh together on the street engaged in a conversation

Connection is essential for emotional and psychological wellbeing. It’s been shown in studies that people with meaningful social connections are likely to experience better mental health and wellbeing.2 Approximately 43% of Queenslanders are lonely highlighting the importance of building meaningful connections.10

Connection provides a sense of belonging, purpose, and security. It can feel like a buffer to stress and challenges.

It has been found to:

  • strengthen your immune system4
  • improve your ability to manage stress5
  • increase self-esteem and empathy for others4
  • improve healthy eating and physical activity habits5
  • improve quality of sleep5.

So, how can you get more connection in your life? Read further, to learn about how to connect more with yourself, community, others and nature.

Connecting with self

Connection doesn’t always need to involve others, and connecting with yourself is one of the foundations of wellbeing. Self-connection has three components:

  • an awareness of yourself
  • acceptance of yourself based on your awareness
  • an alignment of your behaviour with this awareness.6

Self-connection involves taking the time to reflect on how you feel and act, self-care, and having a strong sense of identity. This can be built upon by giving yourself time to listen to your thoughts and feelings, practising mindfulness and setting personal boundaries. Practising connecting with yourself can help you to understand your emotions, needs, and values more deeply.

Certain activities can help you to connect with yourself.

  • Mindfulness practices: being mindful or meditating can help increase self-awareness and reduce stress.7
  • Journaling: writing your thoughts and feelings down can help clarify emotions and help you to better understand yourself.
  • Self-care routines: regular activities like physical activity, cooking healthy meals and hobbies support overall wellbeing.
Woman paints on the floor


Connecting with community

Community connection provides a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Getting involved with local groups, volunteering, or going to community events can help you to build relationships and support networks. People who are actively involved in their communities have been found to have better mental wellbeing and feel less isolated.

You can connect with your community by:

  • Joining local groups: through social or community groups, sporting clubs, art spaces, libraries; or this  community group search tool.
  • Volunteering: you can find opportunities here.
  • Attending community events: like trivia, fun runs, exhibitions, festivals, community garden days, etc.

Check out the Queensland Mental Health Week website for an extensive list of Australian wellbeing events you can attend.

Group of volunteers collecting garbage in the bush


Connecting with others

Our connection with others is important for our wellbeing. Relationships with family, friends, and colleagues can provide emotional support and make us feel happy and content.

To increase your connection to others, you can:

  • Look to strengthen existing relationships. Check in with your friends, family and colleagues more, and show appreciation for their presence in your life. You could organise more frequent catchups or be more present when spending time with them.
  • Build new relationships. Expand your social circle by exploring ways to spend more time with acquaintances. Small gestures like a friendly hello can open doors to new connections.
  • Practise active listening. Being fully present and engaged in conversations, and asking follow-up questions or being curious about what you are being told can foster a deep connection with others.8
  • Explore peer support groups. These groups can offer a safe space for individuals to connect over shared experiences and can provide emotional support.
Two women socialising together over coffee


Connecting with nature

Connecting with nature is associated with improved mental health and wellbeing, and often makes people feel calm, joyous and creative.9 Nature connection encourages mindfulness and helps people to feel more grounded and connected to the world around them.

Some great ways to connect with nature are to:

  • Spend time outdoors: gardening, a walk outside, or visiting a park can reduce stress and improve your mood.
  • Bring nature into your space: add plants or natural elements to create a calming environment and enhance focus.
  • Take a mindful nature walk: engage all your senses—notice the sights, sounds, and smells. Walking barefoot can deepen your connection with nature, boosting spiritual and emotional connection.
  • Hold walking meetings at work: take your discussions outdoors by holding meetings while walking. This can foster creativity and enhance team connection while allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors.
Grandmother walks outside in nature holding the hands of her two grandchildren


By nurturing our relationships with ourselves, our communities, others, and the natural world, we can build a more connected and healthy life.

Sources

  1. Queensland Mental Health Week. (2024). Theme: Connection. Retrieved from https://www.qldmentalhealthweek.org.au/theme/
  2. Ozbay, F., Johnson, D. C., Dimoulas, E., Morgan, C. A., Charney, D., & Southwick, S. (2007). Social support and resilience to stress: From neurobiology to clinical practice. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 4(5), 35-40. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2921311/
  3. House, J. S., Landis, K. R., & Umberson, D. (1988). Social relationships and health. Science, 241(4865), 540-545. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.3399889
  4. Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education. (n.d.). Connectedness & health: The science of social connection. Stanford University. Retrieved from https://ccare.stanford.edu/uncategorized/connectedness-health-the-science-of-social-connection-infographic/
  5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Social connection. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/social-connectedness/about/index.html
  6. Klussman, K., Curtin, N., Langer, J., & Nichols, A. L. (2020). Examining the effect of mindfulness on well-being: Self-connection as a mediator. SAGE Open. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1017/prp.2019.29?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.59
  7. American Psychological Association. (2020). Examining the effect of mindfulness on well-being: Self-connection as a mediator. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2020/04/mindfulness-well-being
  8. MensLine Australia. (n.d.). Active listening: Relationship advice for men. Retrieved from https://mensline.org.au/relationship-advice-for-men/active-listening/
  9. Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). Nature and mental health. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/nature-and-mental-health#:~:text=Research%20has%20shown%20that%20people,including%20lower%20depression%20and%20anxiety.
  10. Queensland Parliament. (2021). Inquiry into social isolation and loneliness’ in Queensland. Report No 14. 57th Parliament.

Acknowledgement

Content developed by Health and Wellbeing Queensland’s team of experts.

© Health and Wellbeing Queensland 2020

Health and Wellbeing Queensland acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands from across Queensland. We pay our respects to the Elders past and present for they are holders of the memories, traditions, the culture and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Queensland.


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