Looking to replenish the felt sense

When you can’t look someone in the eye—directly—your encounter isn’t quite the same. I’m not questioning the value of video or PPE right now. But it’s like being covered in bubble wrap when we’re trying to connect. We miss out on what neuroscientists call the ‘retinal eye lock’—what babies experience with their mothers as their very first relational experience—and consequently our brains miss out on a gratifying neurochemical shower of connection, comfort, and safety. Recognizing that, however, we can spend a few minutes on our way home reconnecting with ourselves as a prelude to catching up on what we missed at work. A respite from the bubble wrap.