Quick Summary
In this multi-part series, Jessica Manner spotlights a different quality of the human well-being against the backdrop of today's complicated climate.
This is part three of a multi-part series on "The Science of Well-Being" by Jessica Manner. Each article spotlights a different quality of the human well-being, as taught by Yale University professor Laurie Santos. Manner applies each quality to today's complicated climate and gives her perspective on working-from-home while maintaining a positive mindset.
KINDNESS
It is scientifically proven that being kind to others makes us happier. Forget what you’ve been told about good deeds and ulterior motives, doing something kind to make yourself feel better still scores karmic points in the long run. Right now it might be harder to find the strength for compassion, but kindness is the real key to getting us through this. So try to assume best intentions, do someone a favor, and be a shoulder to cry on - whether it is for the loved ones in your household or those you can connect with over the phone. We are all in this together. Be kind!
SOCIAL CONNECTION
Humans, by nature, are social creatures. We are hardwired to seek out connection, which makes social distancing a difficult concept to navigate. Instead, we should see it as keeping a physical distance while maintaining our social lives. In a highly connected world, we have many tools to keep our social life active. How about a video chat with friends over dinner? Or group movie night on Netflix, with the help of a Google Chrome extension? You can call your parents to get the lowdown on their weekly bridge game (and make sure they are staying safe) or just talk about their pets. Speaking of furry friends, posting pictures of them on Slack to share with other co-workers also does the trick. We still have a lot of ways we can remain socially connected despite the times.
