Make no mistake, COVID-19 is very serious and requires precautions, attention, and vigilance. However, fear and panic run counter to what will help us move through this global threat. Stockpiling toilet paper and water, incessant reading and watching multiple news sources, and staying caught up on social media only serves to underscore the feeling of panic. It reminds me of the time my husband insisted I become licensed to carry mace when I’d walk thru campus at night. There had never been an incident and I walked fearless; until I started carrying the mace. Then, every shadow, noise, or movement struck terror in my heart. 

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David and his wife were scheduled to have dinner with us on Sunday, a date established months before. Alas, three days before our gathering, David sent us a picture of his face and an email that said he’d have to cancel. His face was covered in hives and the doctor was running tests. The doctor said it was a food allergy exasperated by stress. 

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There are many things you can do to manage stress and cope with change but there is one particular practice that helps many: yoga. Yoga has been practiced for at least five thousand years and it can help you manage a sea of troubles both emotional and physical.
 

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I admit: I’m a hard charger. And the thought of taking “a nap” goes against my grain. But this article convinced me that re-energizing is more than a good night’s sleep and practicing intelligent optimism. So sit back. Take a deep breathe. And read. Your resilient spirit will thank you. 

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It was the bright yellow van with bumblebees on it that captured my attention as I walked from the conference center back to my hotel in Dublin. The women lining up to go into the van must have recognized my picture from the conference brochure and invited me into their experience—an experience that left me crying in sorrow as well as amazement.  

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The U.N.’s annual World Happiness Report ranks the happiest people in the world: Finns, Norwegians, and then Danes. The U.S. has dropped to 18^th place. What is happening? Surely, we are (or were) a powerful, wealthy nation.

That’s the rub. What social psychologists tell us is that happiness flows from our connections to each other, our sense of community, and a shared purpose. It has nothing to do with a never-ending hunt for consumer goods, security, money or status. The bullying and hate speech, the demonizing of groups of people, a distrust of the media, and a political climate that seems bent on its own destruction have pushed us away from the very thing we need: human connection.  Loneliness is epidemic and researchers say, far more dangerous than smoking cigarettes. And loneliness depletes the ability to be resilient because human contact—and therefore help—is diminished.

Here’s the challenge I am throwing out to myself, my family, and anyone who wishes to take up the banner: time to create opportunities for gatherings of family, friends and people who are “different.” Time to put away the digital devices that keep our eyes from seeing each other and the beauty of the natural world. Time to count blessings in terms of human connections instead of money in the bank. Time to put away consoling ourselves with unhealthy habits and possible addictions.

Author E.M. Forester had it right when he insisted “Just connect.”  And if you have no one to talk to, call me.

Resiliency is the new trendy word. Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant have sparked many conversations and insights with the publication of their book Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy.  

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