Imagine for wellbeing
Many Australians feel more isolated now than before the pandemic began, according to recently released research from Allianz Australia. I was shocked when I read that finding. But I suppose, in some ways, it’s not surprising. COVID-19’s negative impact on our wellbeing is well known but the figures are still, to me, alarming.
The Allianz Australia report, completed from research conducted in August 2022, found 46 per cent of those surveyed felt no change in isolation levels or connectedness to their colleagues today compared to way back then, during lockdowns and under other restrictive COVID conditions.
After all this time, two-and-a-half years, a quarter of us feel more isolated than when the pandemic started.
The focus now is on seeking out strategies to enhance our wellbeing. And among those strategies is building meaningful connections, to improve our experience of ‘life’, to feel engaged with others and part of a community. In the report, with its workforce focus, growing these connections is recommended to improve employee engagement and retention.
But building meaningful connections is not always so easy, it’s not accomplished with a click of the fingers. Isn’t creating a social network a lifetime’s journey. Except in our lifetimes, our usually reliable social networks have been disrupted.
In some instances, friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues have moved out of town (or we moved), and the in-person events we attended weekly, monthly, or every single year, don’t always happen anymore. Although life is becoming more normal; concerts back on, restaurants busy. But at work, we may have switched jobs mid-pandemic and not yet bonded with our team. The report even found 42 per cent of Australians are considering leaving their current job within the next six to 12 months.
We’re in the midst of a rebuild. And the Allianz Australia research highlights the need to put an end to the isolation the pandemic wreaked upon us.
It seems fitting, to me, that I discovered the power of imagination in lockdowns when, bereft of people within my four walls, I turned to imagination for adventure and there, found such relief, such joy, even laughter. Now, I share it with others through Imagination Session® where, together, we co-create a story in group sessions.
It’s a very different way to connect. It’s fun tossing out ideas, sharing them in a welcoming space, inviting self-expression. And along the way, connecting with each other in a much more meaningful way than ‘small talk’ and, at times, even after-work drinks. It’s energising and life affirming when we give ourselves permission to imagine.
It pains me to now know that so many still feel that COVID-induced isolation; if imagination helped me through that solitary phase, it may well help you too.
DM if you’d like to know more.
