UnVeg with Reg Summary - SOCIAL INTERACTIONS
Wednesday, May 20th 2009 @ 1:12 PM
Thank you to all who joined in today!
Our conversation revolved around social interactions - making and keeping friends.
Who knew we had it so easy as kids??? We were THROWN into social environments and gently guided by our teachers and parents on how to get along. It's not so easy as adults!
Give these strategies a shot:
MAKING FRIENDS:
- Start big! Attend events that interest you and enjoy being in the space shared by others who are also glad to be there. Concerts, comedy events, art fairs, community festivals, etc - the list is ENDLESS!
- Recognize what you enjoy, and find a group of people to enjoy it together (theater groups, book clubs, church volunteer, baking circles)
- If you're an animal-lover, go to animal shelters or vet hospitals and volunteer your time to walk & take care of animals. You are CERTAIN to meet someone who shares in your love of animals.
- Find a local community college or university and check out their paper(s). There are numerous ways to get involved and be a part of something meaningful.
KEEPING FRIENDS:
- Make that connection. Reach out via phone, email or letter. Think about how YOU would feel if you received a message from an old friend, a high school buddy, or even someone who took care of your children when they were small. Only good can come from connecting with someone from your heart.
- Be kind to yourself. Know that your friends are also busy with their lives. It is nearly impossible to connect with your friends each day - or even each week.
- Start small. Send a note in your child's lunchbox, slip a card in your spouse's bag, or leave a message on your co-worker's voicemail. Let someone you care about know that you're thinking of them.
Relationships take energy. In order to make and keep relationships going with others, you must FIRST have a healthy relationship with YOURSELF. I'll let you think about that one until next time! 
UnVeg with Reg 5/6/09
Thursday, May 7th 2009 @ 10:52 AM
Wow!
Thank you to all who joined in on UnVeg with Reg!!!
We had so many people, our broadcast tool was “overwhelmed” and stopped working.
Thank you for hanging in there!
Here are the top three BIG IDEAS from today’s session:
1. Not knowing where to start… (cleaning the house)
· Place the END GOAL at the bottom of the page and work your way UP. Starting with the end goal is overwhelming and can cause “shut down” just like the technology this week – there was no movement, no sound, no connection.
· Exercise before starting a task. No matter WHAT the task, if you spend a few minutes in movement (running, dancing, stretching, juggling, skipping), it will jump start that CEO of your brain and help you start that activity. There will more likely be a BEGINNING, MIDDLE and END if you stimulate that frontal lobe first!
· Open up those arms. Avoid facing life experiences with your arms crossed in front of you – shielding you from your life and opportunity to learn. PERK UP AND LEAN IN, because you are about to learn MUCH!
2. Not wanting to be social…
· Start small. Meet with a friend outside your home (or at THEIR home) and discuss your concerns about having people over. Get some feedback.
· Invite that same friend over to your house. Focus on the time with your friend and less on your surroundings – perhaps some coffee on the back deck or porch?
· Make it easy on yourself (invite friends for coffee – you make the coffee and they can bring a snack); use a popular TV show, a book, or a favorite website as the topic of discussion.
3. Side Effects of Medication
· Document, document, document. Whenever starting a new medication, make sure you jot down a few notes about how you’re feeling. Share with your doc often. If need be, change the dose, try something different, or think about altering something else like coffee (decreasing), exercise (increasing), or nutrition (focusing on good fats, whole grains and fewer processed foods).
· Talk with others about their experiences. The website is a great place for this! Full-Access Members can talk on the Discussion Forums to connect about a variety of issues – one of them being medications.
Thank you again for joining today. Remember, never confuse MOTION for ACTION! You can do it! See you in two weeks!
Reg
