The new coronavirus is a very real health threat. As it continues its march across the globe, stock markets are toppling, and basic systems like health, financial, industrial, education, and food risk collapse. This is global disruption the likes of which we haven’t seen at least since the global recession of 2008, and people everywhere are scared.
I am certainly not immune to the fear. But what really frightens me about this ever-changing situation is that it seems to foster isolation. The coronavirus is highly contagious. To keep ourselves safe, instinct and, in some cases, governments, tell us we should stay away from other people – disconnect and take care of ourselves and our own. But there’s an unspoken byproduct of distancing ourselves from others: Separation compromises our resilience, precisely when we need it the most. Resilience is the tendency and ability to bounce back from any curve ball that life throws at us – whether that’s the loss of a job, moving to a new city, or finding ourselves in the midst of today’s global panic. And resilience is nurtured by, among other things, our connections with other human beings. Every relationship flourishes or flounders depending on its quality of communication. In a time when our relationships are so vital to our resilience and overall wellbeing, they need special attention. They need to be fostered with conscious, authentic communication Here are some thoughts on how you can use communication to nurture relationships and boost your resilience even in a time of crisis:
The new coronavirus and the multitude of related issues are real, and they are stoking fear in people all over the world. We need to boost the immune systems in our bodies, and we also need to boost our emotional immune systems. The most effective way to do this is to privilege relationships to enhance our resilience. Now is not the moment to turn away from each other, but to lean in. To foster our connections with other human beings is to create a shield against the vicissitudes of the world – no matter how dramatic.
6 Comments
Harriet loneragan
3/10/2020 18:23:40
Thanks Jennifer -
Reply
Jennifer Wasmer
3/12/2020 09:44:27
Hi dear Harriet! Thank you so much for your support -- and for your abundance and gratitude meditations. If there's one thing that this situation is demonstrating it's that we are ALL in this together -- your positive actions are a boon to us all!! Enjoy every minute with Toby and Cait!! Love to you all!
Reply
Renato Arruda
3/11/2020 17:33:08
Great advice and thoughts Jen!
Reply
Jennifer Wasmer
3/12/2020 09:44:59
Thank you, Renato! I always appreciate your support!
Reply
Nibha
3/12/2020 06:11:08
Love your thoughts
Reply
Jennifer Wasmer
3/12/2020 09:45:57
Thank you so much, dear Nibha! Warm hugs to you!!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
MusingsHere you'll find some of my thoughts about communication, contemplation, yoga, life and various other topics. Thanks for giving them a read. Archives
February 2022
Categories
All
|