{"id":21277,"date":"2020-04-13T09:00:45","date_gmt":"2020-04-13T14:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/?p=21277"},"modified":"2020-04-13T19:17:02","modified_gmt":"2020-04-14T00:17:02","slug":"why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_21279\" style=\"width: 710px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-scaled.jpg\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-21279\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-21279 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-700x467.jpg\" alt=\"Stay connected during quarantine\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-700x467.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-250x167.jpg 250w, https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-120x80.jpg 120w, https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-scaled-600x400.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-21279\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo by Dayne Topkin on unsplash<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need for social distancing, quarantine and isolation so that vulnerable individuals are not exposed to the virus and healthcare systems are not overwhelmed.<\/p>\n<p>Collectively, we understand the goodness of \u201cflattening the curve\u201d by each of us doing our part to slow the spread of the virus. COVID-19 is not the only epidemic we are facing. Separating ourselves because of COVID-19 comes at a time when America and many other nations are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness whose antidote is greater positive social connection.<\/p>\n<p>Our current situation\u2014the simultaneous need to reduce physical distance and to increase social, or relational, connection and not see a further rise in loneliness\u2014presents a challenge for us all. Ignoring the need for connection at this time is not an option.<\/p>\n<p>Research suggests that the majority of individuals today lack sufficient social connection. This connection deficit may exacerbate the negative effects of stress and diminish physical and emotional resilience that people will need to fight the COVID-19 virus.<\/p>\n<p>This article looks at why relational connection is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, we present practical tips to boost social connection, while maintaining physical distance, so that individuals experience the physical and emotional health benefits that arise from sufficient meaningful connection.<\/p>\n<p>All of this will help people fare better through this difficult season.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Loneliness May Exacerbate the Negative Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Over recent weeks many nations have advocated or mandated measures to increase the physical distance between individuals, deemed necessary so that those who are vulnerable are not exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Physical separation is also desirable to \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pnas.org\/content\/104\/18\/7582\">flatten the curve<\/a>\u201d of exposures so that healthcare systems have the necessary available capacity to treat infected individuals and minimize the loss of life.<\/p>\n<p>Social distancing, quarantine and isolation have the shared effect of reducing the in-person contact people have with others.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/hub.jhu.edu\/2020\/03\/13\/what-is-social-distancing\/\">Social distancing<\/a>\u201d is a public health practice that increases the physical distance between individuals in order to reduce the risk that sick people infect healthy people through disease transmission. It includes large-scale measures such as canceling group events and closing public spaces, and individual practices such as maintaining a six-foot distance from other individuals.<\/li>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/quarantine\/index.html\">Quarantine<\/a>\u201d is separating and restricting the movement of people who have been potentially or actually exposed to a contagious disease for a period of time and watching to see if they become sick.<\/li>\n<li>\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/quarantine\/index.html\">Isolation<\/a>\u201dis separating sick people who have a contagious disease from people who are not sick.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>From a physical health standpoint, these are important public health measures. From an emotional health standpoint, this separation runs the risk of increasing the negative feelings and resulting negative health outcomes associated with social isolation (being alone) and loneliness (feeling alone, even when surrounded by others).<\/p>\n<p>This call to be apart from others is occurring when many in America and other nations were already experiencing firsthand the effects of our growing\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/ppar\/article\/27\/4\/127\/4782506\">epidemic of loneliness<\/a>. Consistent with earlier research, Cigna, the insurance company, reported 2019 survey results that found\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cigna.com\/about-us\/newsroom\/studies-and-reports\/combatting-loneliness\/\">three-fifths (61%) of Americans over the age of 18 are lonely<\/a>\u00a0and that loneliness continued to rise from its\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.multivu.com\/players\/English\/8294451-cigna-us-loneliness-survey\/docs\/IndexReport_1524069371598-173525450.pdf\">earlier study in 2018<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Loneliness is problematic because it is associated with a host of negative outcomes including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2752489\/\">poorer cognitive performance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20652462\">impaired executive control and self-regulation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/19413133\">lower levels of self-rated physical health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/1566121\">substance abuse<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/16594799\">depressive symptoms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/11326767\">suicidal ideation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to research summarized in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Loneliness-Human-Nature-Social-Connection\/dp\/0393335283\">Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection<\/a>, there is empirical evidence that loneliness may:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>increase vulnerability to other stressors<\/li>\n<li>cause a more intense reaction to negatives<\/li>\n<li>reduce the emotional boost of positives<\/li>\n<li>contribute to greater feelings of helplessness and threat<\/li>\n<li>decrease sleep quality<\/li>\n<li>diminish willpower to exercise and eat healthy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Loneliness affects our lifespan.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/25910392\">Meta-analysis research<\/a>\u00a0has found that feeling lonely, being physically isolated or living alone were each associated with a risk of early death that was equal to or greater than the risk of early death from widely known risk factors including obesity and smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.<\/p>\n<p>Given the negative outcomes associated with social isolation and loneliness, it is not surprising that a recent review of studies on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thelancet.com\/journals\/lancet\/article\/PIIS0140-6736(20)30460-8\/fulltext\">psychological impact of quarantine<\/a>\u00a0reported negative outcomes including post-traumatic stress symptoms, confusion and anger. The review noted that some researchers suggested the negative effects from quarantine could be long-lasting.<\/p>\n<p>A lack of sufficient connection is dangerous because social connection is a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/qz.com\/1313899\/the-psychology-of-why-you-feel-alone-even-when-youre-surrounded-by-people\/\">primal human need<\/a>. Connection is also a \u201csuperpower\u201d that, as the neuroscientist Matthew Lieberman says, makes human beings\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NNhk3owF7RQ\">smarter, happier and more productive<\/a>.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2910600\/\">Meta-analysis research<\/a>\u00a0found a 50% greater likelihood of survival for the participants of studies who had stronger social relationships.<\/p>\n<p>Most important at this present time,\u00a0<em>social connection appears to\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/8668748\"><em>improve the cardiovascular, endocrine and immune systems\u2019 performance<\/em><\/a>, all of which could help people reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and, if they contract it, provide them physical and emotional resources to fight the virus.<\/p>\n<h3>Connecting While Maintaining Physical Isolation<\/h3>\n<p>We have been studying connection since 2002 and we\u2019ve published two books about it,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fired-Burned-Out-Creativity-Productivity\/dp\/1595552812\"><em>Fired Up or Burned Out<\/em><\/a><em>\u00a0<\/em>and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Connection-Culture-Competitive-Advantage-Understanding\/dp\/1947308394\"><em>Connection Culture<\/em><\/a>. Over the years we\u2019ve learned that relational cultures tend to fall into three categories: cultures of control, cultures of indifference and cultures of connection.<\/p>\n<p>In cultures of control, the people with power, influence and status rule over others. Cultures of indifference are predominant today. In this type of culture, people are so busy with tasks that they fail to invest the time necessary to develop healthy, supportive relationships.<\/p>\n<p>In a connection culture, however, people care about others and invest the time to develop healthy relationships, reaching out to help others in need rather than being indifferent to them. In a connection culture, people are more likely to communicate, collaborate, cooperate and work together toward a common goal. And while our work has been focused on addressing and improving workplace cultures, the principles and frameworks are applicable to any group, be it a family, a committee for a civic group, a sports team, a governing body, even a nation.<\/p>\n<p>To get through the COVID-19 pandemic, we need a connection culture that is rich in relational connection while maintaining physical distance between individuals when there is a risk of transmission. It\u2019s important to understand that connection is essential because, as we noted earlier, the lack of sufficient connection has a wide-ranging impact on our bodies, including increasing the negative effects of stress and diminishing resilience.<\/p>\n<p>Here are practical actions you can take:<\/p>\n<h3>1. Cultivate a connection mindset.<\/h3>\n<p>Boosting connection begins with adopting a mindset that connection is desirable and necessary. To help cultivate this mindset among the people you interact with, share this article with individuals in your social networks.<\/p>\n<h3>2. Maintain an optimistic mindset.<\/h3>\n<p>There is reason to be optimistic. China and South Korea seem to be past the worst of the COVID-19 outbreak in their respective countries. The U.S. and many other nations will get there too, and, in time, scientists will develop a vaccine. It\u2019s extraordinary what people can accomplish when they pull together to serve a cause greater than themselves. For an example, watch Larry Brilliant\u2019s inspiring\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/larry_brilliant_the_case_for_optimism?language=en\">TED Talk<\/a>\u00a0on the case for optimism in which he describes his experience as part of the multinational effort that eradicated smallpox.<\/p>\n<h3>3. Take care of yourself.<\/h3>\n<p>\u200dYou can\u2019t give what you don\u2019t have. To be a good connector with others, we need to make sure we are physically and emotionally strong and steady.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We do this by making sure we are connecting with people who energize us. Each day, schedule phone calls or video calls online with people you enjoy. Take virtual coffee breaks in the morning and afternoon while connecting on a video call. Schedule a call each evening with relatives and friends who may need connection. This is a good time to take the initiative and reconnect with friends from your childhood or college days who you may have lost touch with over the years.<\/li>\n<li>Also, be sure to get adequate sleep, exercise (check out exercise videos on YouTube) and eat healthy. When we are stressed or lonely, these practices often get pushed aside. (Why make a salad when the potato chips are so handy?)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>4. Cultivate practices that produce contentment and avoid excitatory practices.<\/h3>\n<p>\u200dConstantly checking your smartphone, email or social media stimulates the production of dopamine, an excitatory neurotransmitter that in excessive amounts makes us anxious. (We want to stay current with the evolving situation but slowing the pace a bit would be better for our nerves.) Do one task at a time rather than multitasking. To learn more, read \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.connectionculture.com\/post\/addicted-to-your-smartphone-to-do-list-or-busyness\">Addicted to Your Smartphone, To-do List or Busyness?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s preferable to focus on practices that produce the positive emotion of contentment because they stimulate the production of neurotransmitters including serotonin\u2014things like engaging in conversation, painting or coloring, reading, assembling puzzles and playing games.<\/p>\n<h3>5. Get creative on how you might engage in activities with others.<\/h3>\n<p>Have you seen the videos of spontaneous outdoor concerts as Italian neighbors stand on their city balconies and sing? We saw one video of a man in a public square leading exercises and people in a row of apartments joining him in doing jumping jacks. Our youngest daughter, a graduate student currently on lockdown in Madrid, and a few of the neighbors on her block have organized together-but-separate BINGO games to pass the time while travel is restricted.<\/p>\n<h3>6. Pause to be grateful.<\/h3>\n<p>Every day, take a few minutes to write down at least three things you are grateful for.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2015\/11\/22\/opinion\/sunday\/choose-to-be-grateful-it-will-make-you-happier.html\">Gratitude helps<\/a>\u00a0keep you emotionally strong and will help you connect better with others.<\/p>\n<h3>7. Go for walks.<\/h3>\n<p>\u200dIf local authorities allow it,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/03\/17\/style\/self-care\/is-it-ok-to-take-a-walk.html?action=click&amp;module=Editors%20Picks&amp;pgtype=Homepage\">go for a walk<\/a>\u00a0each day to get fresh air and sunlight. Remember to maintain a six-foot separation from others. If possible,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/11-reasons-you-should-go-outside-2014-4\">walk amongst nature<\/a>. Even being in your own yard or walking your city block will help.<\/p>\n<h3>8. Play music.<\/h3>\n<p>Throughout the day, play music you enjoy. Music has been found to calm anxiety. Have your own dance party (why not?).<\/p>\n<h3>9. Learn something new.<\/h3>\n<p>\u200dBoredom is one risk of being physically isolated.\u00a0Check out cultural institutions such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithsonianmag.com\/smart-news\/after-closure-met-opera-offers-free-streaming-past-performances-180974428\/\">The Metropolitan Opera<\/a>\u00a0in New York City and museums (and even zoos) that are thinking outside of the box about how to virtually share their treasures with you within your home. Learn more\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.connectionculture.com\/post\/addicted-to-your-smartphone-to-do-list-or-busyness\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3>10. Set aside time each day for a quiet period.<\/h3>\n<p>This may include contemplation, meditation, prayer and\/or journaling.<\/p>\n<h3>11. Never worry alone!<\/h3>\n<p>\u200dWhenever you feel anxious or stressed, call up a friend and talk it through. Doing this will move your brain activity from the amygdala where threats are processed to the cortex where we make rational decisions.<\/p>\n<h3>12. Serve others.<\/h3>\n<p>Reaching out to help others in need boosts neurochemicals that produce positive emotions. In the current climate of encouraging physical separation, this may include writing a card or letter to an isolated elderly parent, relative or friend, or calling to find out how he or she is doing. Check out local or national non-profit organizations that serve populations in need and see how you can help safely.<\/p>\n<p>Anything you can do to help others meet their need for connection also helps you. There is satisfaction, even joy, to be found in serving a cause greater than self.<\/p>\n<p>This unusual season we are in is temporary. Still, it will be difficult and last longer than we\u2019d like it to. We will face individual and societal challenges that we have not faced before. It\u2019s important that you recognize that disconnection is a super-stressor; it makes other stressors feel even heavier and it weakens the effectiveness of any resiliency practices you may be using.<\/p>\n<p>As humans, we are hardwired to connect; we are drawn to \u201cdoing life together\u201d\u2014talking through our issues; learning from each other; being encouraged, corrected and motivated by those around us. Now is not the time to have little or no meaningful connection in your life.<\/p>\n<p>By intentionally boosting our \u201csuperpower\u201d of connection, while still maintaining physical separation, we will make a meaningful difference in the lives of others; lift our own spirits as we lift the spirits of our family members, friends and community; and bring out \u201cthe better angels of our nature.\u201d In harnessing the power of connection as we combat COVID-19, we will be combating the epidemic of loneliness as well.<\/p>\n<p>By taking on this challenge together, we will walk through this season to a brighter future.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">*******<\/p>\n<p><em>This article was co-written by Michael and Katharine P. Stallard.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Michael Stallard<\/strong> writes, gives keynotes speeches, and teaches seminars and workshops on leadership, teams and organizational culture. He is the author of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.connectionculture.com\/book\">Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy and Understanding at Work<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireduporburnedout.com\/\">Fired Up or Burned Out: Reignite Your Team\u2019s Passion, Creativity and Productivity<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Katharine P. Stallard<\/strong> is a partner of Connection Culture Group and a contributing author to \u201cConnection Culture.\u201d She is a gifted connector, speaker, and teacher who brings diverse experience in marketing, administration, business, and non-profit organizations to her role. Katie has co-authored and contributed to articles appearing in publications including HR Magazine and Leader to Leader.<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need for social distancing, quarantine and isolation so that vulnerable individuals are not exposed to the virus and healthcare systems are not overwhelmed. Collectively, we understand the goodness of \u201cflattening the curve\u201d by each of us doing our part to slow the spread of the virus&#8230;. <a class=\"view-article\" href=\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\">Continue reading&#8230;<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1251,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[133,21,67,73,43,19,27,83],"tags":[2265,2264],"aioseo_notices":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Appreciation at Work<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Separating ourselves because of COVID-19 comes at a time when America and many other nations are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness whose antidote is greater positive social connection.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Appreciation at Work\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Separating ourselves because of COVID-19 comes at a time when America and many other nations are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness whose antidote is greater positive social connection.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Appreciation at Work\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/appreciationatwork\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/michaelleestallard\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-04-13T14:00:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-04-14T00:17:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-700x467.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Michael Stallard\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@michaelstallard\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@drpaulwhite\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Michael Stallard\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"11 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Michael Stallard\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/person\/56c323f441963041d6ccf007a85c82ab\"},\"headline\":\"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic\",\"datePublished\":\"2020-04-13T14:00:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-04-14T00:17:02+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\"},\"wordCount\":2216,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"connection\",\"loneliness\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Appreciation\",\"Communication\",\"Gratitude\",\"Optimism\",\"Perseverance\",\"Relationships\",\"Stress management\",\"Thankfulness\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\",\"name\":\"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Appreciation at Work\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-04-13T14:00:45+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-04-14T00:17:02+00:00\",\"description\":\"Separating ourselves because of COVID-19 comes at a time when America and many other nations are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness whose antidote is greater positive social connection.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/\",\"name\":\"Appreciation at Work\",\"description\":\"Making Work Relationships Work with Authentic Appreciation\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Appreciation at Work\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/AAW-Logo.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/AAW-Logo.jpg\",\"width\":1075,\"height\":281,\"caption\":\"Appreciation at Work\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/appreciationatwork\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/drpaulwhite\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/5-languages-of-appreciation-in-the-workplace\",\"https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/drpaulwhite\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/AppreciationAtWork\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/person\/56c323f441963041d6ccf007a85c82ab\",\"name\":\"Michael Stallard\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ba4ca6e0d4cc9aa9685e9cdb5f55eb82?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ba4ca6e0d4cc9aa9685e9cdb5f55eb82?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Michael Stallard\"},\"description\":\"Michael Stallard writes, gives keynotes speeches, and teaches seminars and workshops on leadership, teams and organizational culture. He is the author of Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy and Understanding at Work and Fired Up or Burned Out: Reignite Your Team\u2019s Passion, Creativity and Productivity.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/www.michaelleestallard.com\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/michaelleestallard\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/michaelstallard\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Appreciation at Work","description":"Separating ourselves because of COVID-19 comes at a time when America and many other nations are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness whose antidote is greater positive social connection.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Appreciation at Work","og_description":"Separating ourselves because of COVID-19 comes at a time when America and many other nations are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness whose antidote is greater positive social connection.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/","og_site_name":"Appreciation at Work","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/appreciationatwork","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/michaelleestallard","article_published_time":"2020-04-13T14:00:45+00:00","article_modified_time":"2020-04-14T00:17:02+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/we-will-be-ok-dayne-topkin-unsplash-700x467.jpg"}],"author":"Michael Stallard","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@michaelstallard","twitter_site":"@drpaulwhite","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Michael Stallard","Est. reading time":"11 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/"},"author":{"name":"Michael Stallard","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/person\/56c323f441963041d6ccf007a85c82ab"},"headline":"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic","datePublished":"2020-04-13T14:00:45+00:00","dateModified":"2020-04-14T00:17:02+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/"},"wordCount":2216,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#organization"},"keywords":["connection","loneliness"],"articleSection":["Appreciation","Communication","Gratitude","Optimism","Perseverance","Relationships","Stress management","Thankfulness"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/","url":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/","name":"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Appreciation at Work","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2020-04-13T14:00:45+00:00","dateModified":"2020-04-14T00:17:02+00:00","description":"Separating ourselves because of COVID-19 comes at a time when America and many other nations are in the midst of an epidemic of loneliness whose antidote is greater positive social connection.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/blog\/why-relational-connection-is-so-important-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why Relational Connection Is So Important During the Coronavirus Pandemic"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/","name":"Appreciation at Work","description":"Making Work Relationships Work with Authentic Appreciation","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#organization","name":"Appreciation at Work","url":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/AAW-Logo.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/AAW-Logo.jpg","width":1075,"height":281,"caption":"Appreciation at Work"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/appreciationatwork","https:\/\/twitter.com\/drpaulwhite","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/5-languages-of-appreciation-in-the-workplace","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/drpaulwhite\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/AppreciationAtWork"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/person\/56c323f441963041d6ccf007a85c82ab","name":"Michael Stallard","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ba4ca6e0d4cc9aa9685e9cdb5f55eb82?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ba4ca6e0d4cc9aa9685e9cdb5f55eb82?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Michael Stallard"},"description":"Michael Stallard writes, gives keynotes speeches, and teaches seminars and workshops on leadership, teams and organizational culture. He is the author of Connection Culture: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy and Understanding at Work and Fired Up or Burned Out: Reignite Your Team\u2019s Passion, Creativity and Productivity.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.michaelleestallard.com","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/michaelleestallard","https:\/\/twitter.com\/michaelstallard"]}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4rPvw-5xb","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21277"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1251"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21277"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21277\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21287,"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21277\/revisions\/21287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.appreciationatwork.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}