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Often we hear about the Mental Health crisis but what we're really talking about is mental illness. Whereas in the domain of physical health there's a lot of information out there about how to be more physically healthy cardiovascular exercise resistance exercise yoga typee exercise mobility etc., beyond just disease.
Mental health is not just about illnesses. Not having depression ≠ you’re happy. There are ways to increase happiness.
Just like physical health. You can improve it regardless of whether you have a disease or not. So, let’s make your mental health a 5/5. Hubermanner, what do you rate your mental health out of 5 right now?
Alright, you can change that number by doing a few things here and there.
A Harvard study studied 750 men for 80 years. They asked them to do questionnaires, scans, interviews, etc. every year (their kids and wives also joined later). The examiners looked to find correlations between lifestyles and mental health.
What did they find to be the biggest correlator with happiness? Can you guess?
Nope not exercise. It’s quality connection to the people around them.
Hubermanner, in all honesty, do you think you have a strong connection to others? Do you foster and nurture your relationships?
If the answer is yes, amazing! You’re good. And if the answer is no, it’s action time.
Make the effort to get social connections in the same way you make the effort to go and workout at the gym.
I’m not saying go and be friends with everyone. But you know people you have some good chemistry with. So, reach out to them. Go hiking. Meet over Zoom. Play board games. Anything works.
Your action for the day (if you want better mental health)
Open your contacts list or WhatsApp chats
Find someone you want to talk to
Send a message
(optional) plan something
This is a wonderful habit too. Imagine if you switch social media bathroom breaks with quality reachouts and connections.
So, I know it sounds very stupid like we’re in a silo. But like, actively seek out the authentic connection
It could be your husband, someone you miss, or your personal trainer.
Go connect with people. Anytime today works. You can do it.
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