Feel Less Alone Through Civic Engagement

Red Wine & Blue can connect you with your people

In this week’s episode, author of ‘Democracy in Retrograde’, Emily Amick talks about how engaging in politics can actually be a form of self care and help combat loneliness. And let’s be honest, it can feel very lonely if you think you’re the only one who feels a certain way about what’s going on in the world of politics.

Loneliness can be so devastating to your health that in May of 2023 Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released a new advisory about the public health crisis of loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country.

In the Advisory it says, “While the epidemic of loneliness and isolation is widespread and has profound consequences for our individual and collective health and well-being, there is a medicine hiding in plain sight: social connection.”

It goes on to talk about the importance of civic engagement, defined as action to address issues of public concern. They have found that increased levels of civic engagement can be associated with higher levels of social connection as it helps to develop empathy, problem solving, and cooperation among community members. 

One study even showed that higher levels of family and community connection during adolescence predicted civic engagement outcomes in young adulthood including a greater likelihood of voting and involvement in social action. So keep talking to your kids about the importance of voting and staying engaged at the local level! It really makes a difference. 

In addition, studies show that group membership and social networks strongly influence the decision to participate in the political process. 

We’re not surprised by any of this because we know that we’re meant to do life together.

There are lots of ways to find connections that build our communities and our democracy. If you're looking for a community that's committed to making the world a better place, join us at Red Wine & Blue. We provide everything women need to successfully organize in their communities and beyond. 

Fighting extremism is serious business, but Red Wine & Blue is proof that we can stand up for democracy while making friends and having fun along the way.

If you’re looking for a place to start - sign up for our virtual event on Monday, July 15th where we’ll hear from Heather Cox Richardson on what we can do together to win this battle in November.

We promise that you will leave the event feeling less alone.