Issue #41: Social Connection without Social Media
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, October 11th. Happy Birthday Dad!
“The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”
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The time we spend on social media every single day.
Social Connection
We’ve never been more physically alone than any time in human history.
Yet, we're constantly busy and rarely alone with our own thoughts.
Regaining solitude is essential for our health.
Social media has bastardized our view of connection and made us more lonely.
Technology should serve you, not the other way around.
Where is Everyone?
Remote/hybrid work, online food orders, and virtual gyms are just a few examples of how we continue to be physically removed from our friends, coworkers, and neighbors. And 28% of us live alone - compared to 13% in 1960.
But loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone - it's the feeling we get whenever we don’t have the social connection we want or need (even if we're surrounded by dozens of other people or our partner on the couch right next to us).
Do You Hear that...it's Quiet
Solitude, on the other hand, is when your mind is free from input of others (Cal Newport). Research shows that this voluntary time to yourself is essential for creativity, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing.
But we're rarely alone with our thoughts. Technology has invaded our minds 24/7. Work emails coming late at night, nonstop streaming options, and scrolling through social media make us feel always “on," even checking the ESPN app in the bathroom - it all distracts us from our own thoughts and from people around us.
The Social Media Rabbit Hole
So all that time scrolling replaces the exact time “we don’t have” to connect with our friends and family in real life.
It becomes a vicious cycle - we aren’t with real connections so we get our needed social approval online. This prioritizes “likes," which become our new currency of self-worth - requiring us to spend even more time on these apps and taking us further away from the relationships that really matter.
Action Plan
Maximize your real-life relationships, find solitude in your day, and avoid any feelings of loneliness. 3-Step Challenge:
Track how much time you actually spend on social media and apps every day.
Set a daily time limit. Identify how you use this extra time.
Target spending at least 15 min each day engaging (phone, video, in-person) with someone you care about - ask questions, find out about their day - you know like real people.
*Want to read more? Check out Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport.
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Speed Read
Health & Longevity in the News
New Models for Mental Health?: Diagnosed depression increased 300% during the pandemic. The system doesn't have the capacity to care for these individuals. Can telehealth help solve this challenge? Adoption has been slow and fraught with challenges, but there is hope.
Burnout in Healthcare: Yet another reason we need to own our health. Burnout across the healthcare industry has led to doctors and nurses working long hours and pushing them to the brink of quitting. 2 in 5 nurses intend to leave the profession within two years - this will make it nearly impossible to address the demand of aging boomers.
Verily Alphabet Soup: Verily received a $1B funding boost from parent company, Alphabet. The funding is to expand Verily’s broad set of precision health businesses ranging from biomedical research to virtual care to wearables to sleep apnea to diabetes. The focus will be on core initiatives, but also support investment in strategic partnerships, global BD, and acquisitions. Can you spell IPO?
Tuesday QR (Quick Recipe)
Want to enjoy some fries and extend your longevity? Well here you go...
Sweet Potato - offers 2x daily Vitamin A, plus a ton of other vitamins & minerals.
Rosemary - powerhouse DNA booster, potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and even shown to be as effective as Rogaine to regrow hair
Pro Tip: Don't forget the Primal Kitchen ketchup to go with the fries!
*Shout out to Ocean Robbins for Sweet Potato research, Kara Fitzgerald for Rosemary insights, and Joey Halpern for the recipe!
Bucket List
Apple Picking
What's better than seeing the leaves start to turn, putting on your favorite flannel shirt, and heading to a remote orchard to pick your own apples?
Washington is the apple capital, but you can pick apples nearly anywhere.
Make a weekend trip to check out orchards in Minnesota (highly underrated in fall), Michigan, and New York.
Thanks for joining us today! Hope you enjoyed it - tomorrow we're going back to work (you'll see what we mean).
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Why Thrive25
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.
This newsletter is for you and we truly value your feedback. Never hesitate to reach out to us at team@thrive25.com.
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 Labs LLC does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.