Issue #361: Wise Beyond Your Years
Good morning. It’s Thursday, June 27th.
Stat of the Day
The percentage of our waking hours when our mind is wandering and not focused on the present. This isn’t actually a bad thing (it’s an essential part of being human), as long as it’s not in a negative spiral of chatter. (Harvard)
Learn
Wise Beyond Your Years
When we’re dealing with tough situations in our own life we don’t think straight.
We’re so caught up in our own emotions that we become blinded by all the different options and perspectives available to us. The late Daniel Kahneman calls this the “inside view” in his book Thinking, Fast and Slow.
Take this example of people asked about their own health and mortality:
In a large experiment participants were told they have cancer and asked to choose between the following options:
Do nothing - there’s a 10 percent chance of near-term death
Undergo a novel treatment to cure the cancer - there’s a 5 percent chance the treatment kills you
60% chose to do nothing - they decided to double their risk of dying.
But here’s the thing - when presented with the exact same scenario for someone they know their answers flipped.
69% would recommend the novel treatment to their friend or family member.
Why is that?
First - we are risk averse and have the bias of loss aversion (we play “not to lose” because losing feels worse than winning feels good).
Second - we become somewhat blind making the best decisions for ourselves because we’re too close to it. We can’t assess all the information clearly.
But when we get to what Kahneman calls the “outside view” (what’s going on with someone else), then we see all the potential options and a more accurate take on reality. We also remove those biases.
It’s not just these biases that go away - a similar experiment asked people to imagine a world where their preferred presidential candidate lost. But when this question was posed for two candidates in another country - our views are less extreme and we become more willing to be open to other viewpoints.
Gaining Wisdom
Wisdom can mean many things - seeing the “big picture,” recognizing the limits to your own knowledge, acknowledging the views of others, knowing the world is very complex.
We often connect wisdom with age (up to a point). There are books we’ve talked about - “The Second Mountain” and “From Strength to Strength” to name a couple - showcasing how we see things more clearly in the second half of life.
But you don’t have to go around the sun 50 or 60+ times to get this wisdom.
Creating the distance to get that “outside view” gives you the glasses to see a much bigger perspective.
By doing so, you’re able to avoid that negative chatter in your head, emotionally-charged arguments, and less than ideal responses to stress.
In fact, studies show that partners who are able to remain “distanced” (not to be confused with “distant”) during fights are much happier and have longer relationships. They are able to remain calm even when their partner gets worked up.
Try
Time Travel to the Future
So how do you create distance when that stressor is actually happening to you?
Take a ride to the future.
Specifically, ask yourself “how will I feel about this in 10 years?”
This is called “temporal distancing.”
It acknowledges that everything is temporary; that the world is always changing. It takes some of that emotional charge out of the situation so you can see and react more clearly.
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Eat
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, celebrated for its health benefits and rich flavor. Extracted from olive tree fruit, it's a versatile oil used in cooking, dressings, and finishing dishes.
Olive oil just may just be liquid gold for your health - it’s rich in monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, and contains polyphenols, vitamin E, and carotenoids.
Health benefits
Heart Health: lowers bad cholesterol and boosts good cholesterol
Anti-Inflammatory: oleocanthal acts like ibuprofen
Cancer Prevention: antioxidants may reduce cancer risk
Weight Management: aids in weight control when used moderately
Brain Health: supports cognitive function and may reduce Alzheimer's risk
How to eat
Serving Size: 1 tablespoon, containing 120 calories and 14g of fat
Pairing: olive oil can be enjoyed any time of the day, ideal for cooking, salads, or drizzling over vegetables. Pair with leafy greens, tomatoes, fish and whole grains to maximize the health benefits and nutritional value of both the oil and the other foods
Warning: Olive oil has a lower smoke point than avocado oil. So keep the olive oil on the salad and off the grill or stove (see Issue #202)
Types of olive oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): highest quality, cold-pressed. Always buy EVOO!!
Virgin Olive Oil: cold-pressed but with higher acidity
Pure Olive Oil: blend of virgin and refined oil
Light Olive Oil: refined with a lighter taste and color
Quality!: Not all olive oils are equal - in Issue #202 we highlighted 80% of EVOO are fake. Some are mixed with lower-quality oils, so it's crucial to select high-quality, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for the best benefits. EVOO is made from pure, cold-pressed olives and retains more natural antioxidants and vitamins compared to other types like virgin, pure, or light olive oil. Here’s your guide to 78 certified olive oils by the North American Olive Oil Association - yes, it’s a real association, and it’s legitimate!
Cook
Cucumber Gazpacho
Spice up your summer with this easy cucumber gazpacho - no really, it’s good! Refreshing and nutritious, this cool soup combines that healthy olive oil with tomatillos, cilantro, Greek yogurt and garlic, plus the crispness of cucumber and the kick of jalapeño.
Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants and healthy fats - give it a try on a hot day this summer.
In the News
AI Predicts Alzheimer’s By How You Talk: An AI tool from Boston University can - with some accuracy (78.5%) - determine the progression of Alzheimer’s. As this becomes even more powerful, everyone can get these tests without the cost and invasiveness required today. (Neuroscience News)
Time for a New Therapist: Learn more about the signs it’s time to move on, pros and cons of moving on, and tips ensure a smooth transition. (Forbes)
No More Hangovers?: A new hydrogel prevents alcohol from entering the bloodstream and stops acetaldehyde (toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism). Human trials coming soon. (Big Think)
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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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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.