Tuesday. We were going to write this into a main piece, but it seemed a little too obvious to require that many words. So here is your “duh” news for the day—eating ultra-processed foods is linked to increased feelings of depression and anxiety, as well as a 28% increase in cognitive decline (View Study Here). Yikes. The key takeaway? Please just avoid the processed junk. 

Now that we got that out of the way—let’s talk about a missing piece of the health puzzle not enough people are talking about. Let’s dive in

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Today’s Menu 🌿

• We Need More Connection

• 17 Stomach Flu Remedies

• The Daily Mystery Recipe

• Coffee Alternative With Cocoa

• Low Carb, No Sugar Bread

• The Benefits of Sweat

Read Time: 4 minutes

We Need More Connection

In today's world, we're more connected than ever through our screens and devices, yet it seems like we're drifting further apart in real life. So what’s the big deal? 

The big deal is that this gap in our social interactions may be leading to more health issues than we realize. We talk a lot about fitness here because we know that daily exercise, specifically resistance training, is an important habit if you want to live a long and healthy life. But this idea of "social fitness" is also becoming increasingly important, and we could all use a bit more of it.

Social fitness isn't about how many friends you have on social media or how often you post pictures of your outings (duh). It's about the quality of the time you spend with others, face-to-face, in the real world. With the rise of digital content designed to capture our attention, we're spending more time alone, glued to our screens, which is taking a toll on our happiness and overall health.

And the scariest part is that virtual reality (VR) headsets are still just in their infancy. Imagine how bad this problem can become once more people have access to these fancy goggles and start interacting with the world through a screen that is literally strapped around our heads. 

In an insightful article from The Atlantic (Read Article), Derek Thompson discusses how our society has embarked on a strange experiment by choosing digital interactions over real-life connections. He points out that while online content is meant to entertain us, it often leaves us feeling anxious and alone. 

And this shift away from physical camaraderie to solitary screen time is not without consequences. The apparent decline in happiness among Americans seems to correlate with the decrease in real-life social interactions.

This observation is backed by a staggering 85-year study conducted by Harvard (View Study Here), which found that social connections and a sense of belonging are critical indicators of a happy and healthy life. It's clear that our well-being is deeply intertwined with our social lives, and nurturing these relationships is as crucial as the foods we eat and any other healthy habits we’ve talked about before. 

So, what can we do to improve our social fitness? It might be simpler than you think. Try setting aside at least one hour a week to connect with a friend in person. And as obvious as this might seem, remember that this doesn't mean sitting next to each other scrolling through your phones. It means engaging in meaningful conversations, sharing experiences, and truly being present with one another.

Imagine that? Eye contact with another human being. What a concept. 

By prioritizing face-to-face interactions, we can strengthen our social muscles and counteract the adverse effects of too much screen time. This shift towards more genuine connections can lead to a boost in our mental and physical health, making us happier and more fulfilled.

The key takeaway? In a world where digital content is constantly vying for our attention, investing time in real-life relationships is a powerful act of self-care. Building social fitness isn't about dramatic changes; it's about making small, intentional choices to connect with others in meaningful ways. 

So, let's challenge ourselves to step away from our screens and into the company of friends and loved ones. It's time to nurture our social fitness, one gathering at a time, and enjoy the positive impact it can have on our lives.

So, seriously—you are likely reading this on a mobile device. Text a friend (bonus points if you call them). Email someone to make plans. Reach out and ask someone you care about to grab a coffee or go to lunch. Just do it, and I promise you won’t regret it. 

Related Articles

• Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation

• Loneliness in Young Adult Workers

• An American Health Crisis

Psst… You can reply with recommendations too!

Calcium Myth & The Real “Bone Density Hero”

Is calcium actually good for your bone health? Bad news…

In one of the largest bone health studies ever, women who took calcium and vitamin D every day were no less likely to break their hips…

Meanwhile, a recent study found that women who ate THIS protein for 6 months gained 7% more bone density… Which is how much density the average person loses in SIX YEARS!

Eat THIS protein if you want stronger bones

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17 Foods and Drinks for When You Have the Stomach Flu

Scientifically, the stomach flu is known as viral gastroenteritis. It is a highly contagious infection that affects your stomach and intestines.

If you have stomach flu, certain foods and beverages may help settle your stomach, prevent further complications, and help you bounce back faster.

Here are 17 foods and drinks for when you have the stomach flu.

The Daily Recipe

Try to guess… It’s a healthy, yet delightful recipe that combines a crispy coating, a popular vegetable, and creamy cheese (and baked to perfection with a hint of herbs). Curious? Click below to discover the recipe and see if you guessed right.

P.S. We’ll show this week’s top-voted recipe on Friday!

Tonic Shots

🌿 Embrace Moderation, Not Extremes.
Just as moderation in your diet prevents overindulgence in sweets, it's about finding the right balance. Read article…

😋 Eat Less Ultra-Processed Dishes.
I typically recommend Hero Bread as a good, healthy bread alternative. Low card, high fiber, no sugar. You can check them out here… (Learn More)

💊 Over-The-Counter Birth Control
The first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. will be available soon. Read Washington Post article…

☕️ Need a break from coffee?
Sometimes you need some energy without the jitters. Here’s a coffee alternative consisting of 100% organic cacao…