November Challenge: Strengthen Bonds & Spark New Relationships for a Healthier, Happier You!

Around the holidays, it's easy to get caught up in the whirl of social activities and perhaps lose track of their deeper purpose of connections. During this busy season, take time to foster meaningful relationships. By being intentional about these engagements, you are prioritizing your health and wellbeing and will find joy and laughter along the way.

Here are a few creative challenge ideas to help deepen existing connections and spark new ones:

Week 1: Curiosity Challenge

• Goal: Make interactions with acquaintances and strangers more meaningful.

• How: Each day, approach someone with a sense of curiosity—whether it’s a colleague you don’t know well, a friendly neighbor, your local coffee barista or someone in a store. Ask open-ended questions or comment on a shared experience, like “What do you like about this place?” or “How’s your day been so far?”

• Outcome: Encourages deeper conversations and can lead to surprising, new connections.

Week 2: Gratitude Challenge

• Goal: Increase positivity in existing relationships.

• How: For one week, each day write a short message of appreciation to someone in your life. It could be a friend, partner, co-worker, or even a casual acquaintance. Mention specific qualities you admire or recall a favorite memory with them.

• Outcome: Practicing gratitude strengthens relationships by showing others you value them, which can lead to deeper connections.

Week 3: Shared Experience Challenge

• Goal: Strengthen connections through shared, fun experiences.

• How: Invite a friend, family member, or even a new acquaintance to try something new with you this week, like attending a cooking class, hiking a new trail, or visiting a museum.  

• Outcome: Shared experiences create memorable moments and open the door for conversations and laughter, reinforcing bonds.

Week 4: Reconnect Challenge

• Goal: Reignite relationships that may have grown distant.

• How: This week, reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, whether it’s an old friend, former colleague, or family member. Send a message or arrange a call just to catch up and see how they’re doing.

• Outcome: This helps rebuild connections that may have faded, reminding both of you of the value of the relationship.

By participating in these challenges, you will prioritize your health and wellness by enhancing existing relationships and sparking new ones.