COMMUNITY

Why

• Improve mental and physical health
• Provide a sense of purpose
• Teach valuable skills
• Nurture new relationships

Link to Article.

How

• Check in with local nonprofits.
• Search the internet for opportunities.
• Sign up for a few hours a week to start.
• Show up and smile and do your best!

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Reduce risk of depression
• Reduce risk of high blood pressures and unhealthy body mass index (BMI)
• Increase your sense of belonging
• Reduce stress and boost happiness

Link to Article.

How

• Go to an event and meet someone with the same interest.
• Start a conversation with someone in line at the coffee shop or grocery store.
• Ask a current friend to introduce you to another friend of theirs.

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Boost motivation.
• Create friendships.
• Promote feelings of connection.
• Strengthen identity.

Link to Article.

How

• Join an online Meetup group.
• Find events in your local paper.
• Ask friends about groups they attend.

Local Support

Go to a book group or knitting group at Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles.

Visit a branch of the North Olympic Library Systems to view their bulletin board of events or visit them online.

Why

• Build positive relationships.
• Improve mental and physical health by improving coping ability.
• Reduce stress and frustration.
• Encourage social support.
• Help with social anxiety.

Link to Article.

How

• Join an online Meetup group.
• Find group meetings in your local paper.
• Ask friends about groups they attend.

Local Support

Go to a book group or knitting group at Shore Aquatic Center in Port Angeles.

Visit a branch of the North Olympic Library Systems to view their bulletin board of events or visit them online.

Why

• Increase your sense of belonging and purpose.
• Boost happiness and reduce stress.
• Improve self-confidence and self-worth.
• Help cope with traumas.
• Encourage you to change or avoid unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Link to Article.

How

• Host a get together.
• Attend an event together.
• Make a standing weekly date to have coffee.
• Set up a virtual/in-person game night.
• Plan time to spend together and mark it on your calendar!

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Lower the likelihood of feeling lonely.
• Lower depression and anxiety.
• Build strong connections and reduce risk for premature mortality.
• Spread compassion and goodwill!

Link to Article.

How

• Small act of kindness – just check in and see how they are doing.
• Provide helpful information.
• Mow a lawn.
• Deliver groceries.

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Enlarge your circle of friends.
• Nurture a support system.
• Enhance happiness and confidence.

Link to Article.

How

• Ask someone to coffee or tea.
• Make it fun and ceremonial! Send a note to a friend long-distance, inviting them to join you for a virtual dinner date. Include a healthy recipe!
• Reach out to someone you know that is going through a tough time, offer to take them for lunch.

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Unlock courage and confidence.
• Keep from being bored.
• Grow and evolve.
• Enrich and expand knowledge and experience.

Link to Article.

How

• Try a new activity.
• Attend a new event.
• Eat a new food.
• Learn something new.

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

Love and Health links:

• Fewer doctor visits.
• Less depression and substance abuse.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Fewer colds.
• Faster healing.
• Longer life.

Link to Article.

How

• Write down all the people that care about you.
• Give yourself a few moments each night before bed to remember the love and care that others gave to you throughout the day.
• Return hugs with all you’ve got!

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

All the benefits of:

• Attending something new
• Spending time with friends
• Attending a group event

How

• Just say yes!
• Allow yourself to see all of your hesitations to accepting. Acknowledge and let them go. (Like in meditation.)
• Tell yourself you’ll try it with no expectation.
• Ask a friend to go with you!

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Improve mental and physical health.
• Cause a chain reaction of altruism.
• Lower blood pressure.
• Sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Link to Article.

How

• Volunteer at a local organization.
• Help a neighbor.
• Commit a random act of kindness.

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• All the benefits of spending time with friends.
• Increase feelings of security.
• Develop a stronger sense of meaning or direction.

Link to Article.

How

• Pick up the phone and call (not text)!
• Extend an invitation.
• Make a coffee/tea date.
• Send a note through the mail.

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Reduce depression and anxiety.
• Increase sense of belonging.
• Increase self-confidence.
• Protective benefits against unhealthy behaviors.
• Improves motivation.

Link to Article.

How

• Allow someone to help you with a task or financially.
• Turn to a friend for advice when you are in a difficult situation.
• Receive love and caring from friends and family.

Local Support

Coming soon.

Why

• Lower anxiety and depression.
• Higher self-esteem.
• Greater empathy.
• More trusting and cooperative relationships.

Link to Article.

How

• Extend an invitation.
• Accept an invitation.
• Spend time with friends and family.
• Volunteer.
• Attend a group event or discussion.

Local Support

Coming soon.