Connecting from Behind A Mask
Masks have now become an item that we are all getting used to in our daily outings as part of the response to the global pandemic.
While I recall the first time I wore one feeling very surreal walking along my local street realising this is now part of our lifestyle. Having watched a number of films and Netflix shows where they are dealing with a global virus on the screen where as now it is all of our reality.
What has also been apparent is that it is not as easy to connect with people from behind a mask or is it? No longer are we able to see people’s facial expressions, smiles, or other ways we communicate and connect with verbally and non verbally everyday in public.
It can seem like some of that connection and communication is lost, but rather now we have to adapt to the situation and implement other ways to connect while we all wear masks.
We all know the power of eye contact and while you may not want to lock eyes with every person you see, I know I am much more at the moment.
The reason being is that eye contact is real time unconscious social interaction and is a key element that connects us during social communication. With a study published in eNeuro by a team of Japanese scientists showing the same areas of each persons brain are activated simultaneously during eye contact, preparing the social brain to empathise.
While we all manage our connections and communication’s differently at the moment from behind a mask. A quick gaze into the eyes of those you pass on your walks or past in the streets or in shops at the moment can all go towards a better feeling of social connection which we are all missing at the moment.