I’m Dr. Jud brewer, addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist specializing in anxiety and habit change. Earlier in this series I talked about social contagion in which emotions can be passed between people just like germs. Yesterday a reporter asked me what was more infectious, a virus or social contagion. The answer is simple. Social contagion is much more infectious. Why? We can prevent the spread of a virus by keeping a distance of about six feet, which is how far a sneeze can travel. Well, someone can sneeze on your brain from anywhere in the world. Yes, social media is the perfect vector for spreading anxiety and panic. And just like washing your hands and social distancing can prevent the physical spread of coronavirus, there are ways to prevent the spread of social viruses as well. Here are some simple tips:
First, take a deep breath and ask yourself, what do I need right now.
If you are looking for news, go right to the true sources. For example, the WHO is going to have the most accurate information on coronavirus. Popular media checks sources and tries to get things right, but they’re also competing for your attention, so they might report something that turns out to later be debunked. 118
If you are looking for connection with others, step back and ask yourself. Do I have the habit of going on social media when I’m bored or looking to see what is happening in the world? Now is a good time to recognize that as a habit. Walking down the social media street in the past was not a big deal, because on the whole people were posting about relatively benign stuff. Now, scrolling is like walking through a crowd, many of whom are socially sneezing worry and fear. The more you scroll, the more likely you are to catch that social contagion -and pass it on.
So, if you are looking for connection, take a break from social media, and cuddle instead. I won’t go through all of the science behind how hugging and cuddling boosts the immune system and releases oxytocin. Even though my research is now focused on neuroscience and the clinical applications of mindfulness training, I went to graduate school to study why we get sick when we’re stressed, and ended up getting my PhD in immunology. 224 Here’s my short summary: cuddling is good for your health. But you don’t have to trust me as a scientist. You can try it for yourself.
If you have family members, take a break from checking the news, find your spouse or kids, tell them that you love them, and give them a 15 second hug.
If you live alone but have pets, do the same thing.
If you live alone, practice this yoga pose that I made up. It’s called the hug pose. Stand up and stretch your arms back behind you. Now move your arms forward and give yourself a big hug. If you have a physical limitation, you can simply hold yourself in your heart.
We are all trying to love each other from afar. our family members, friends and all those who are sick and suffering. Now is the time for us all to practice loving one another from afar.
I’ll end with a page from the book that my wife and I have been reading before bed called the boy the mole the fox and the horse by Charlie Makesy.
Life is difficult but you are loved
So please spread kindness and connection today. Let it be the new infection that helps us move forward together.
Onward together. I’ll see you tomorrow.
-Tweet:
First tweet:
Make connection the new infection
I’m posting daily videos on YouTube to boost #mentalhealth. Here’s the summary for today:
-Why social media is more infectious than germs
-3 stress-reducing cuddle practices you can do at home
#coronavirusfreecuddling
ADD TO COMMENTS: https://www.brown.edu/public-health/mindfulness/classes
Second tweet:
Make connection the new infection
1) Pets are 100% #coronavirus free
2) Cuddling is a great way to connect
3) Share a picture of pet cuddling to spread connection instead of #anxiety and panic
4) adopt a pet from a shelter
#coronavirusfreecuddling
-(my reply tweet) picture of mahri and jules: caption: Here’s a picture of my wife cuddling our cat, Julian of Norwich, when we first adopted her 5 years ago. (she was named after the Christian mystic who dedicated her life in the service of helping others) #coronavirusfreecuddling