As readers of these pages probably know, anxiety in this country has reached levels unprecedented during the time in which such polls have been taken. I served as a consultant on a recent one, which was commissioned by CareDash, the online medical resource portal. Since the presidential election, 59% of Americans as a whole and 72% of those with children report symptoms of anxiety, with over half considering a doctor’s care to relieve their symptoms.
The burdensome political and social climate brings especially bad news for families. Regardless of the source, the addition of blame to anxiety turns it into anger or resentment, and the rule of blame is that it eventually goes to the closest person. It’s not the uncertain times that seem unnerving, it’s the crumbs left on the counter by a distracted partner or child. The more we blame and are blamed, the more powerless we feel.
Anxious times seem to bring out the worst in people. They make us intolerant of disagreement, divide us into factions, and, in the worst case, lead us to demonize those who seem different. We can hardly speak without using negative labels. In anxious times, we seek to devalue rather than understand.
The tendency to devalue, which impairs the ability to comprehend, is due to a particular quality of human nature that contradicts most of our ordinary experience. The emotional brain distrusts differences. Yet our lives are enriched by them.

The Humane Self

Basic humanity is an innate capacity for interest in the well-being of others. In its more developed expressions, it motivates respectful, helpful, valuing, nurturing, protective, and altruistic behaviors. In adversity it motivates sacrifice. In emergency it motivates rescue.
Basic humanity allows us to grow beyond the limitations of personal experience and prejudice. The more in touch with basic humanity, the more humane we feel. When out of touch with it, we feel less humane.

The Path to Well-Being

Development of basic humanity doesn't mean becoming Mother Theresa, nor does it necessarily mean giving to charity or doing volunteer work. There are degrees of basic humanity, and most of us can do quite well by regularly exercising only a moderate level.

Highest Level of Basic Humanity

Attitude: We're all connected, more human than not
Behavior: Enhance and protect the welfare of others; if necessary, sacrifice for the greater good

Moderate Level of Basic Humanity

Attitude: Equal to all, superior to none
Behavior: Respectful of everyone, generally helpful when possible, acting according to our most humane values, rather than reacting in kind to the behavior of others

Low Level of Basic Humanity

Attitude: Superior or inferior (opposite sides of the same coin)
Behavior: Resentful, manipulative, vindictive

Underdeveloped Basic Humanity
Attitude: Isolation

Behavior: Displaying contempt, willingness to harm.

Experiment to Achieve Moderate Levels of Basic Humanity

For the next two weeks (at least), try to devote conscious effort to the following:

• Be proactive rather than reactive. Replace: "I'll be respectful to you if you agree with me and validate my worldview,” with, "I'll be respectful to you because it's the right thing to do and will make it more likely that you'll be respectful to someone else, who then may be respectful to yet another person."
• Know that everyone has a sense of basic humanity - even the person acting like a complete jerk right now would probably rescue a child in danger. 
• Realize that you raise self-value by valuing others and lower it by devaluing others.
• Recognize that most people are more frail than cruel.
• Do some small thing every day to make the world a better place – a small act of compassion or kindness.

If you do the above consistently for two weeks, you should experience longer lasting states of well-being, even in troubling times.