Issue #349: Get Off the Sidelines
Good morning. It’s Thursday, May 30th.
Stat of the Day
Rafael Nadal’s record at the French Open (including his loss this week) - that’s a 96.6 winning percentage. He’s won the tournament 14 times (2005-2008, 2010-2014, 2017-2020, 2022). Unreal combination of mastery and longevity. Au revoir Rafa - well played!
Learn
Get Off the Sidelines
“It’s easier to stand on the sidelines, criticize, and say why you shouldn’t do something. The sidelines are crowded.”
It’s human nature to judge others.
For most of human history we lived in tribes of only 150 people. British anthropologist Robin Dunbar identified this “magic number.”
It still exists today for the way we organize the military (company sizes of 130-150 soldiers under a Captain) and the upper limit of most holiday card lists. If you go above this limit the group starts to fall apart.
Dunbar took this a step further with how many people can we “love” and how many people we can call a meaningful contact.
So when we exceed these numbers (like in today’s crazy world) we’re suspicious of those we don’t know. And we judge them.
There’s another reason we judge others - it masks our own insecurities. It threatens how we perceive ourselves.
I’ve mostly been an introvert and have spent more time standing around the tables at the wedding watching the dance floor than actually being out there. But who had a better time? Who maximized their experience that day? Who left with a positive memory?
Is it jealousy that I wish I could be that carefree?
I’m not saying we all should just become different people - not everyone feels comfortable dancing. But most of this discomfort comes from fear of judgment. Since we judge others, we think they will judge us.
It’s good - necessary - to step out of our comfort zone and that’s not just true to do things that are tough. It’s to do things that are fun and make us laugh.
I saw this post on X:
Yes, it’s just another company over-trying to be cool and it seems pretty ridiculous. But why crush it? It’s just some people singing out about how a great product for creatives might work for enterprises.
Why are we so quick to make fun of this? Because if we’re not having fun ourselves - then it’s easier to join in the “anti-fun” crowd. We get a sense of belonging by joining in the chorus of negative comments.
But you don’t have to actually be a troll and post anything to be a part of the negative crowd. Even if you keep your judgment inside your head, but those thoughts are there - you’ll still feel worse.
Don’t get sucked into the negative spiral of judging others when they’re smiling and laughing. Instead, find those things that make you laugh, that make you feel good, and you won’t feel the need to scoff at others having fun - even if it is pretty corny.
Oh - and for those of us that don’t like to dance, might be time to get out there anyway. A multi-year study found that people who have been dancing for years not only had better motor skills - reaction times, balance, and posture (to prevent those falls later in life) - they also had better cognitive performance.
Unlike other forms of exercise - dancing to complex routines is a mental challenge. Dancers showed growth in the hippocampus - the area of the brain for memory and balance. Just another effective tool to fend off dreaded neurological disease.
Try
Smiling
Just smile more.
A recent study of 3,678 volunteers found that making your face smile - regardless of why you’re smiling - makes you feel better. It’s called the facial feedback hypothesis.
Our emotions are tied to muscle movements. The more you smile, the more you create a positive feedback loop and stimulate your thoughts and emotions to be more positive.
How many times did you smile today?
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
Caraway is on a mission to craft well-designed home goods that thoughtfully raise the standards of what you cook with - their products are designed to make your life easier and healthier.
Every time Max adds a tablespoon of Zero Acre Farms cultured oil to his Caraway sauté pan, he knows he’s eating healthier and reducing his carbon footprint.
Caraway Core Value #2: Functional Products For Real Life - from naturally slick surfaces to complimentary storage racks, Caraway products are designed to be convenient, functional, and bring joy back into your daily rituals.
Eat
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are small, nutrient-dense seeds derived from the Salvia hispanica plant, native to Central and South America. These tiny seeds are revered for their exceptional nutritional profile and versatility in cooking and baking.
They’re a great add to smoothies!
Health Benefits
Heart health: one of the richest plant-based sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid known for its anti-inflammatory properties and heart health benefits
Digestive health: an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber, promoting digestive health, regulating bowel movements, and contributing to satiety (helping with weight management)
Antioxidant power: contain antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which help neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing oxidative stress and lowering the risk of chronic diseases
Blood sugar control: fiber and protein content helps stabilize blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for individuals with diabetes or those seeking to manage blood glucose levels
How to eat
Serving size: 1-2 tablespoons (about 15-30 grams)
Pair with: like we said, they’re versatile, so they can work with most foods. Besides smoothies, we prefer juices, breakfast bowls, oatmeal and salads. It's important to consume chia seeds with enough liquid to prevent them from swelling and causing gastrointestinal discomfort
Don’t pair with: other foods that are similarly high in omega-3 and/or fiber, as chia seeds may give you too much of a good thing. Also, chia seeds naturally lower blood pressure - so if you’re on blood pressure medication, you will want to avoid
A little more caution: individuals with certain medical conditions, such as dysphagia or gastrointestinal disorders, should exercise caution when consuming chia seeds, as they may pose a choking risk if not properly hydrated
Types: besides the seeds, you can find chia seed oil and chia seed flour, as well as ground or milled chia seeds for easier digestion and incorporation into recipes
Cook
Super-Seed Snack Bars
Looking for a perfect on-the-go snack? These healthy seed bars are your new best friend! Thanks to a mix of pumpkin, sunflower, hemp, and chia seeds, these bars are protein-packed, fiber-rich, and loaded with vitamins and minerals, and healthy fats. Ideal for all-day adventures, these bars keep you fueled and satisfied.
In the News
Quality Over Quantity: Companies embracing “slow productivity” are seeing outsized benefits to optimal efficiency. Working smarter, not harder is becoming the new mantra to improve employee wellbeing without sacrificing the bottom line. (Fast Company)
What is Old?: So much in this world is arbitrary and based on ideas from 50, 100 or thousands of years ago. With life expectancy increasing, Japan is changing their definition of “elderly” from 65 to 70. (Source)
FDA Expanding Reach: 80,000 medical tests not previously regulated by the FDA, will be required to show safety, accuracy and reliability going forward. Hospitals and labs have gone mostly unregulated and can perform tests for cancer, heart disease, COVID-19, genetic conditions, etc. under their own standards. (Source)
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We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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To health!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.