A pleasantry everyone uses: “How are you doing?”

It’s a routine check-in, but generally, the answers are trivial. “Good” or “Fine” are par for the course, and we move on with our lives.

In reality, there can be a lot bubbling under the surface. Life stretches all of us — but we tend not to share it.

I saw a question that hit home: “How are you sleeping?” When things get tough, sleep is the first thing affected. Poor sleep is a clear sign of stress and anxiety, and it’s hard to hide it.

For our loved ones, we want to know what’s really happening. Asking about their sleep can be the first step to doing that.