Community is good for you (and your goals), but you already know that!

Written by Lacey Liebert, Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Is running a team sport? In some ways, running is a very individual activity and pursuit. You can run almost anywhere, at almost any time. Unless you’re handing off a baton, or trying for the title of biggest team at a local race, all you need is you.

And yet, day in and day out, fantastic bunches of Striders choose to show up at the same place and the same time to run together. We delight in each other’s company and camaraderie. Not to mention, there are matching shirts and all sorts of silly socks (you know who you are!). You might even see some donut shorts or dare I say dill pickles?!

It seems to me, we make running a team sport. Not just that, but we get so much out of our involvement in this community. Just ask any Strider! (If you haven’t seen the video our VP Judy Proteau made doing just this, go check it out on the Strider FB Page).

There is a hefty stack of research that backs up what you’ll hear anecdotally. Basically, being part of a community is good for overall well-being and has positive impacts on health outcomes. My guess is that you already know this. To highlight just a few benefits-

·         Belongingness & connection (antidotes to isolation & loneliness).

·         Fun & friendship.

·         Being a unique part of a larger whole.

·         Inspiration & ideas.

·         Support & understanding.

·         Healthy competition.

·         A cheering squad and coaching to help you reach just a little bit further and achieve your goals! There is so much growth opportunity beyond your comfort zone.

Comfort zone:

-Routine, familiar.

-Perhaps boring at times.

–  Comfy and safe.

–    Stretch or learning zone:

–  Challenging but manageable.

–  Some risk and also reward.

–  Try and learn new things, see yourself as more capable than you realized.

–  Grow toward goals.

–  Become more adept at handling things like failure (see failure as part of the learning process).

–  Practice encountering and tolerating the emotional aspects of doing hard things.

–    Fear or panic zone:

–  Things that get in the way of learning, such as fear, overwhelm, shut down, or burn out.

  If you find yourself here, remind yourself that you are human.

–  Talk to someone about your experiences.

–  Get curious about what’s getting in the way.

–  Check in with your expectations.

–  Consider making your goals a bit more bite-sized.

–  Ask for help.