![]() ![]() At the University of Washington, researchers found babies as young as 19 months demonstrated altruistic, generous behavior. Plenty of research also suggests this altruism is hard-wired in humans. Part of being connected and in community with others is providing for those in need. Engage and connect by consuming stories of human ingenuity and triumph. But when you hear stories, you’re likely to engage seven parts of your brain from your motor cortex to your sensory and visual cortexes. When you’re listening to facts and figures, you use parts of your brain devoted to language comprehension and processing. By paying attention to stories, rather than just statistics, you’ll feel more engaged with others. In addition to craving social connections, our brains also seek meaning in the midst of uncertainly. Even if your happy hour is via video conference or you experience your quality time from across the street with a neighbor, overcome the isolation and create new ways to connect. In South Korea, research showed socializing with others reduced negative emotions. A study published in the International Journal of Nursing Studies found when nurses took breaks with colleagues, their stress was reduced, and they were more likely to stay at their jobs. #2: Socialize as much as you can, even virtually. Unfortunately, the need to stay apart goes against our basic biology and instinct and creates dissonance and discomfort. A paper from Ludwigs-Maximilians Universitaet in Munich published in Current Biology explains that anytime humans perceive a threat, our natural response is to come together and seek safety in groups and in community. Because humans are wired for social connections, the need to distance from others is especially tough. First, know your feelings of sadness or fatigue are normal, and a pandemic presents unique challenges. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |