Why Social Safety matters after Lockdown
Women historically have a heightened primal drive for Social Safety in groups, and recent neuroimmunology research reveals that distress at being at odds or excluded from a group can negatively impact our general well being and physical health. This links the Mind + Brain + Body system interactions:
immune reactivity to social conflict, isolation, devaluation, rejection, and exclusion
cognitive clarity and a positive mindset to navigate an uncertain future
undermining regenerative resilience
and an aware and mindful Sense of Self.
UCLA’s Lab for Stress Research have shown that: ‘because situations involving social conflict, isolation, devaluation, rejection, and exclusion historically increased risk for physical injury and infection our’ interlinked Brain + Body systems have built a highly sensitive ‘anticipatory neural–immune reactivity to social threat.’
When the stress is sustained over time, Well-Being can be severely impacted, because this multilevel biological threat response can increase individuals’ risk for several inflammation-related diseases.
Rebound resilience will be needed after the collective stress and loss caused by the pandemic, as we adjust and grow towards new ways of coping,
Social Safety Canvas - Introduction
The Benefits and Costs of a Defensive Mindset in a Social Challenge
The global pandemic and the various Lockdown restrictions have disrupted our social interactions and this can unsettle us at a primal level. Situations involving isolation, devaluation, rejection, and exclusion historically increased risk for physical injury and infection, anticipatory neural–immune, and so we are strongly reactive to social threat.
IMMEDIATE GAINS
Heightened threat and pain
Avoid immediate physical harm
Superficial healing of wounds
Greater likelihood of survival
LONG-TERM LOSSES
Undermining happiness and joy
At risk for inflammatory disease
Poor sleep, chronic pain, loss of hopefulness
Faster biological aging and early death
Social Safety Canvas Review
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