How to concentrate on the good. And do good during the pandemic.

Resilience is what we need in these interesting times. Now you’re thinking, ‘Well, no kidding, Skippy,’ but it’s so true.

This pandemic is one big challenge that isn’t going away as quickly as we had hoped. Resilience is a necessity because heading toward depression and despair is a slippery slope. And it’s a place that’s difficult to get out of.

I’ve marveled at many people who have been faced with tragic events and manage to come back from it. Those are the people, and I’m talking about people of all ages, who manage to get back on an even keel after hitting a bump in the road of life. Or if they fall down on that bump, they still get back up and made notes where the bumps were.

A few days ago I started feeling anxious, or mad or bored or all of the above. I’ve never stayed home so much in my life. For a while completing projects that had been put off for months, okay, years, was rewarding but the thrill of that satisfaction has given way to a lull.

I told my husband that it seems the more I do, the more I do and the less I do, the less I do. At that point the “less” was winning.

I gave myself the old “Snap out of it Bing,” pep talk and decided to concentrate on the good. And to do good. A few favors for friends lifted my spirits some. And boosting my attitude of gratitude helped as well.

Being positive and concentrating on all the good things in life yanked me out of the dumps and got me going again. Resilience was restored and part of the remedy was to just stop and think and breathe.

In his book “Resilient” Dr. Rick Hanson says that breathing can do a whole lot to boost your resilience. He advises taking some big breaths and exhale slowly. That slows the heart rate. He says this will “pull you out of verbal activity, which is a driver of rumination and worry.”

He explains with deep breaths a part of your brain, the insula, is engaged and you reduce activity in the default-mode network, which is the basis for rumination. Who knew there was a default-mode network in our brains?

Anyway, Dr. Hanson, says even three deep breaths will make a difference and if you have kind and caring thoughts while taking these breaths, it’s even better.

Of course after reading that part I had to give it a try. A couple of times a day I would stop and breathe and think of loved ones. Sure enough I felt happier, more resilient and determined to get through this pandemic and help others do the same.

Deep breathes might not put you in the mood to clean the garage, or for the millionth time figure out what to have for dinner, but in time maybe you’ll notice a boost in your positivity and resilience.

Give it a try. It’s fewer calories than wine and it’s free.