COMMUNITYIN THE NEWSLONELINESS
Is there a ‘magic pill’ to fight loneliness and isolation? The GenWell Project would say ‘yes’ – increased face-to-face social connection
Let The GenWell Project be the catalyst to get you to reach out and get connected face-to-face,
with family, friends, neighbours, classmates or colleagues on GenWell Weekend this May 5-7
TORONTO, Ont. (April 3, 2023) – Today is the official start of The GenWell Project’s 2023 Spring GenWell Weekend campaign. We are encouraging Canadians to join the Human Connection Movement this May 5, 6 and 7 by making The GenWell Project the excuse and catalyst to reach out to friends, family, neighbours, classmates or colleagues to make plans to get connected in 2023 face-to-face on GenWell Weekend. Participating in a GenWell Weekend can be as simple as coffee with a neighbour or colleague, a BBQ with family and friends, or as big as a sporting activity or potluck with your entire street. The size and activity don’t matter; we want to be the catalyst that connects you and helps make the world a happier and healthier place, one face-to-face conversation at a time.
“Research clearly shows how important human connection is to our health and in countering the negative impact of social isolation, disconnection and loneliness on our mental and physical well-being. The GenWell Project, a social health movement, uses GenWell Weekends as a catalytic period to engage 38 million Canadians as part of their effort to educate, empower and catalyze greater human connection,” said Pete Bombaci, Founder of The GenWell Project. “The human connections and the relationships we build are the single greatest contributors to our happiness and can reduce anxiety and depression, increase empathy, compassion and resilience, and can increase your chance of living longer by up to 50%, and yet, most Canadians have never been educated on these facts. The time is now to rebuild the connected Canada where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.”
The global pandemic has awakened Canadians to the importance of social connection, its impact on their mental and physical well-being, and the societal impact of a disconnected world. The GenWell Project, Canada’s Human Connection Movement, has been working to raise Canadians’ collective consciousness and intentionality around the importance of their social connections and social health since 2016. These weekends have been strategically selected during seasonal transitions, a time when research suggests that people would benefit from connecting face-to-face with others to cope, find solutions and build resilience to get through these transitions and challenging times.
“GenWell weekends are a great reminder of the critical role that community and social connection play in our health and well-being,” said Dr.Kiffer Card, Chair, Scientific Advisory Panel, GenWell Project. Further stating, “Face-to-face interactions with friends, family, and neighbours help build relationships and resilience — making all of us happier and healthier.” Whether you get connected for your health and wellness or the health and wellness of others, we invite all Canadians to be part of the solution to the disconnected world that we find ourselves in post-pandemic.
HOW TO JOIN THE MOVEMENT
You can be part of the solution by registering your intention to reach out and get connected with others on GenWell Weekend, May 5, 6, and 7.
#GoFirst – start conversations and take action each day to educate Canadians about the importance of social connection to their health and well-being.
Follow us on social media and share our tips, tools and ideas on how to build healthier social connection habits with your network.
Challenge yourself and your community to register their intention to get connected on GenWell Weekend at www.GenWellProject.org.
For more information or to connect with us online, please visit https://genwellproject.org/.
