Connecting with people in a deep, meaningful way drives me. People, relationships, and the beauty of life drive me.  —Rose Caiola

Mental exercises help build new brain cells and strengthen the connections between them, which is why I find it beneficial to challenge the brain with new activities every week. This week’s mental workout is about how to realistically schedule quality time with loved ones.

What To Do

Pick someone you want to connect with—whether it be an old friend you want to catch up with, a relative who needs a pick-me-up, or a co-worker you want to get to know better. Schedule time this week to spend with that person. Life is about making connections, building relationships and creating memories. By spending quality time with the people you care about, you enrich the quality of your life.

Why To Do It

As humans we are social beings. A positive, animated presence can evoke and elevate a sense of happiness to which we continually respond because of the exchange of emotional tender. This, in turn, activates healthy neural and other body circuits, a process that decreases loneliness, thereby increasing physical and mental health.

The value of human connection, of course, is not a new concept. But it doesn’t take a new concept to rewire how we live. Sometimes, creating extraordinary change is about finding a new way to apply an old concept. In this case, perhaps, creating a focus on the pursuit of happiness-producing personal relationships: identifying (and spending time with) people whose emotions we enjoy catching, and intentionally collaborating to foster each other’s ability to reach ever-greater heights of pleasure.

Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.