A major health concern I see getting talked about is the loneliness epidemic - harming both individual and societal health. We never got back to in-person social engagement the way it was pre-COVID. Internet and smartphones make it a lot easier to stay home. Staying in touch got easier but it came at the cost of IRL meetups. I hear more about social anxiety now than I have before. I understand where it’s coming from, but not getting enough offline socializing makes it worse. Think of it like this, you’re feeling tired so you don’t work out, but not working out leaves you feeling tired since you’re not building stamina. As a result, people are feeling less connected, and mental and physical health issues are rising. This is a genuine problem that should be addressed the same way we’re tackling other health issues. If people do want to go out, there aren’t as many third spaces they can visit without spending a lot of money. How does one get people out of the comfort of their homes for their good?
My favorite activity is to grab a coffee with a friend and go for a walk together. It doesn’t cost much money and is good exercise. There is also no pressure on any of the members to host. Walking also helps the conversation flow organically, ideas pop up and I leave feeling energized.
Be the friend or family member that messages someone today and sets up some time to grab a coffee(or tea if that’s your jam) and go for a walk. They’ll be very happy to hear from you and you will have improved the health of 2 people at the same time.
Disclaimer: This is NOT medical advice.
Post 5/30