Featured Story

Dr. Leif Hass shares what he has learned about hope as a foundational element to healing, “what stifles it, what helps it spring forth, what social settings and cognitive states nurture it, and what habits we should develop in order to live with a hopeful mindset.” Some of his learning: given that life and health are not static, hope needs to be dynamic; it is a process requiring conscious cultivation; human connections through relationships and community are vital; and hope can be contagious. “Decades of research suggest being hopeful leads to not only a higher quality of life, but also to more resilience, creativity, and problem solving.” Dr. Hass says sometimes just holding a hand and “facing this together” provides solace. “To heal our world, we similarly need to start small: in our homes and with our friends.”