Pushkin

Welcome to a special set of episodes of The Happiness Lab.

The now global spread of coronavirus is affecting all of us.

This disease has brought a host of medical, economic, and political problems.

But it's also given us a ton of uncertainty and anxiety,

which are beginning to have an enormous negative impact on our collective wall being.

But whenever I'm confused or fearful, I remember that looking for answers in evidence-based science is always the best way to go.

And that's where I'm hoping this podcast can help.

When we think about the weeks, maybe months ahead, we'd be forgiven for surrendering to despair.

Some of us are already losing our jobs, or seeing our businesses shuttered for who knows how long,

at a time when many people's investments have tanked.

We may already be feeling ill, or fearing for our own safety, or that of vulnerable relatives.

Some have even experienced bereavements already as a result of this outbreak.

And everyone has seen changes in their daily lives, like not being able to eat at your favorite restaurant,

or attend your weekly yoga class.

I've even had several friends who've had to postpone their weddings.

We might feel scared, frustrated, or even really angry about all this.

But such emotions are draining.

They end up making us feel even worse.

A better way to react to all these setbacks might be to see them a little differently.

Say, as challenges, to take on and overcome,

to look at the trials ahead and confidently say, game on.

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