A National Ground Stop.
That’s what it was called. Never had happened before. An unprecedented action ordered by the FAA’s National Operations Manager Ben Sliney, minutes after the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Twelve minutes later, at 9:37 a.m., American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon.
Every single plane across United States airspace was ordered to land.
No one was flying. We watched the news more than before. And life seemed to be a little too quiet.
Just like now.
You can’t compare the attacks on our country on September 11 to the Covid-19 virus. But what we do know is that once again everything has stopped, and we’re not sure of what’s next. It’s an anxiety, a stress level that can overwhelm.
We need a lift. Now. So where exactly do we turn for that?
Well there is this thing that the experts at Mayo Clinic say will reduce stress, improve your immune system, and relieve pain. It happens to be the same thing an Oxford study found will trigger a release of endorphins in the brain to lower stress and lift us emotionally. And coincidentally, it’s the same thing that NASA researchers determined will be critical for the astronauts on the first manned trip to Mars.
Humor.
There is a convergence of medicine, science, education, and business on the value of humor to our health, relations with each other, education, and communication skills.
We’re used to enjoying humor in social settings, with friends, vacations, etc. – but not in the more serious moments. Yet countless studies now show that here is where it’s your greatest asset. Where people need it the most, expect it the least, and are most strongly affected.
At The Headliners Consultants we’re often asked, “How do you use humor more effectively?”
We teach several ways, and one is to see humor in life’s most anxious and imperfect moments. You might say we’re in one of those right now.
Since we started by talking about airports, let me share a small story with you.
I used to really get wound up by the police outside of the airports who would yell at me every time I slowed down to pick someone up or drop them off at the airport.
“Move it, move it, move the car!
“I’m dropping off people on crutches, give me a second!!”
“I don’t care. They should have healed by now. Move the car!!”
So one day I dropped off my family at Midway Airport and I saw the police officer staring at me. I walked over to her and said, “Hi. I’m going to leave my car there in the middle lane for about an hour or two. When I get back, could you have it washed, and maybe get me one of those…oh what do they call them…venti mochas?”
She froze. Then looked at me, smiled, and said “you want whip on that?” Tension gone. And I have kidded with every officer since. Helps my day and I know that they need the smiles too.
Find the humor in these anxious times. Like the man I saw walking out of the grocery store with two carts stocked over his head, the only contents being 15 cases of Dr. Pepper – an amount that would kill any virus. Or this run on toilet paper, the irony being that it’s only after you discover there is none left that the intestinal problems begin.
Remember, the higher the stress level, the greater the impact of the humor. Because it’s not expected. Just a drop can produce a strong and much needed physical release.
Every day until this virus passes I encourage you to look for the humor and then share it with someone, anyone – the person getting your venti mocha – to bring them a smile.
When you do this, it spreads. Humor, you see, is also infectious.
Try it. Watch it lift.
And soon we’ll all be flying again.
www.theheadlinersinfo.com
