In May 2023, the United States Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthey issued a Surgeon General Advisory to bring attention and awareness to our society’s loneliness epidemic.
The 82-page advisory called, “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” emphasizes the importance of the awareness and action citizens need to take action towards improving and enhancing social connection for the health and wellbeing of Americans and our communities.
The advisory defines loneliness as, “A subjective distressing experience that results from perceived isolation or inadequate meaningful connections, where inadequate refers to the discrepancy or unmet need between an individual’s preferred and actual experience” (2023, Murthy).
And defines social isolation as, “Objectively having few social relationships, social roles, group memberships, and infrequent social interaction” (2023, Murthy).
The report notes that even before COVID-19 one half of United States adults reported feeling loneliness, isolation, lack of connection, feeling invisible and insignificant, with some of the highest rates reflective in young adults.
The report even states that a lack of social connection can increase the risk for premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, among other startling implications for healthy longevity!
Healing and Hope
If we shift our thinking from disease state and move more into healing and hope, the advisory also speaks to social connection as, “a continuum of the size and diversity of one’s social network and roles, the functions these relationships serve, and their positive or negative qualities.” And belonging as, “a fundamental human need—the feeling of deep connection with social groups, physical places, and individual and collective experiences.”
Integrative Nurse Coaches are integral in reducing isolation and loneliness because they innately support communities by creating group coaching programs, gatherings, workshops, retreats and more to help their fellow humans.
Enter Group Coaching
Group Coaching is a purposeful gathering of two or more people for thoughtful, supportive conversations, which may lead to shifts in consciousness, behavior and/or thought processes. It is a powerful process and “…strategy for increasing effective goal setting for positive health, human flourishing and desired clinical outcomes” (2014, Dossey, Luck & Schaub).
When we pair the Integrative Nurse Coach’s skill, wisdom, and tenacity with the term collective efficacy, defined as, “the willingness of community members to act on behalf of the common good of the group or community” (2023, Murthy), we see Integrative Nurse Coaches willingly and literally showing up in for the greater good of their communities- all over the world!
Build Connections
Integrative Nurse Coaches are inviting people to gather, to build connections, improve isolation and reduce loneliness because of their unique abilities to create safe and judgement free zones for fellow humans to gather.
INCs are arriving at community centers, churches, yoga studios, workplaces, banks, hospitals, supermarkets, schools, retirement homes, restaurants, gyms, doctor’s offices and… everywhere to support their community’s health and wellbeing through group coaching gatherings.
“Every Nurse is an angel with a key for healthy community.” Aleksandar Radunovic
What can YOU Do to help improve loneliness and isolation as a Nurse Coach?
Create what you wish existed!
If you are considering a group event, DO IT! Think about things you wish existed and could not find… I know others are looking for it too. Write down your thoughts and ideas, and then take steps toward action. I believe you can do it!
You can create a group that impacts individuals health and wellbeing. All you need to do is to initiate and go for it! People are looking for you and the unique gifts you have.
Ask.
Ask your local community center, church, yoga studio, retirement home what they’d like for their population to support connection, interaction, and support? Then share your ideas. You will be pleasantly surprised when they say, “You are exactly what we are looking for!”
Reach Out.
Reach out to fellow INCs in your community, or online, and share ideas, intention and shared love of Integrative Nurse Coaching to create a group coaching program together!
Take a Chance.
People are looking for communities to join, and you can be the catalyst for their healing, wellbeing and behavior shifts. Go for it!
You can have a positive and life-giving impact on your communities. Want more ideas? Reach out to us at, contact@inursecoach.com.
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For more blogs about group coaching and communities, click below…
- Awesome Benefits of Group Coaching
- 5 Effective Group Coaching Approaches for the Professional Nurse Coach
- How Holistic Nurse Coaches are Engaging with Communities
Nicole Vienneau MSN, RN, NC-BC is a recovering burned-out ICU Nurse. Through Integrative Nurse Coaching and holistic modalities, she’s on the daily voyage to well-becoming.
Nicole is founder Restoration Room and Blue Monarch Health, an author, podcast host of the Integrative Nurse Coaches in ACTION!, holds a board certification in Integrative Nurse Coaching and combines 20+ years of Nursing with 30+ years of fitness, health coaching and energy work to partner with mid-life women and healthcare workers who want to THRIVE!
She loves her husband, her two crazy cats and enjoys being in nature and having fun.
