VIA Strengths for Deeper Connection in Your Day

Beyond the Superficial: Exploring Deeper Connection Through VIA Strengths

This is an important question: do you want to improve your connection with others? If that isn't an issue when it comes to your daily activities, then bookmark this blog for another time. This post explores the topic, examining the importance of connection, a measurable metric to see which connection strengths you can develop, and some practical steps to address the question at hand.

Before you read on, take this VIA Strengths test, which can take between 15-25 minutes.

Imagine a day filled with genuine interactions: meaningful conversations beyond the superficial, moments where you are truly present with others, or activities that promote teamwork and shared joy. Also consider how it feels to receive someone's full attention. Such a day exemplifies the human aspects of connection. I would also include a link with nature and the divine in a broader sense.

The Vital Role of Strengths for Deeper Connection in Enhancing Wellbeing and Longevity

The importance of connection extends far beyond fleeting joy; it profoundly influences our overall wellbeing. Genuine connections can help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and enhance self-esteem. Physically, the benefits include a stronger immune system and lower blood pressure. Even our cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and memory, benefit from these interactions. This interplay of emotional, physical, and mental advantages contributes to increased longevity, highlighting the vital role that connection plays in our lives. The stakes are high; loneliness poses serious health risks.

Practising connection, however, is easier said than done. Emotional barriers like fear of vulnerability or past traumas can hold us back. Personality traits, such as being introverted or prone to negative emotions, add challenges. Our busy lives and digital distractions further reduce the quality of our connections. Recognising your specific challenges is an important step towards improvement. But what might a proactive, positive psychology approach look like? Developing strengths for deeper connection might be a more effective strategy than merely fixing problems.

If you're new to VIA Character Strengths, dive deeper into their relevance to Day Crafting in the Productivity, Self-care or Change Workbooks — or check out the VIA website.

Here are ten strengths for deeper connection that can significantly enhance your skills:

Love. Kindness. Social Intelligence. Forgiveness. Teamwork. Leadership. Honesty. Humility. Fairness. Humour.

Where are these ten strengths distributed across your 24? Wherever they are distributed, you can make their development a more conscious intention of your days. If connecting with nature or the divine resonates with you, consider the VIA Strengths of Spirituality and Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence.

Strengths Reference

1. Love: You experience close, loving relationships characterised by giving and receiving love, warmth, and caring.

2. Kindness: You are helpful and empathic, regularly doing lovely favours for others without expecting anything in return.

3. Social Intelligence: You are aware of and understand your feelings and thoughts, as well as the feelings of those around you.

4. Forgiveness: You forgive others when they upset you or behave badly towards you.

5. Teamwork: You are a helpful and contributing group and team member, and you feel responsible for helping the team reach its goals.

6. Leadership: You guide groups to meaningful goals, ensuring good relations among group members.

7. Honesty: You are honest to yourself and to others, you try to present yourself and your reactions accurately to each person, and you take responsibility for your actions.

8. Humility: You see your strengths and talents but are humble, not seeking to be the centre of attention or to receive recognition.

9. Fairness: You treat everyone equally and fairly, giving everyone the same chance by applying the same rules.

10. Humour: You approach life playfully, making others laugh and finding humour in difficult and stressful times.

The Practice

Strengths Application Prompts

Here are some prompts to help you apply these strengths:

• Recognition of Strength: Which strengths shine brightest in you?

• Identifying Opportunities: Where can you apply these strengths in your daily life?

• Application of Strength: How can you use these strengths in social situations?

• Overcoming Obstacles: What barriers might hinder you, and how can you overcome them?

• Balancing Strengths: When could these strengths be overused or misused?

• Day Crafting: How can you incorporate one of these strengths into your day today?