[Music] Bringing people together these days is a feat. Thousands of people coming joyfully together to create a mile long beautiful playful spectacle for themselves and their community is a wonder. Look at our Hilton Head Island Lantern Parade.Now, I've thrown like a hundred parades and I still get misty eyed every single time. I look out at parade lineup and I think I just get chills, you know, and I think, God, people are so wonderful. People are full of the loveliest surprises.God, I just I love people. ...

One of the most powerful things that anyone can do, believe it or not, is to have someone each morning that they text good morning to. I know this is going to sound trivial, corny, and I'm happy to take the heat on this one. Find a a friend and in particular men who lack friends completely because there's a greater percentage of those, although it's certainly the case that many young women and women are um lonely as well.Find someone who you can communicate with each morning. Just a good morning text. Serio ...

Social & Emotional Trends - Affective crisis and insufficient friendships are prevalent, driven by increased pressure to meet expectations and decreased dedication to relationships [1][2] - Obsession with self-care may lead to a loss of ability to connect deeply with others, resulting in feelings of being unheard and judged [2][3] - Inability to coexist with differing opinions fuels loneliness, with a quarter of Brazilians feeling lonely most of the time [4][5] - Loneliness is recognized as a global health issue, distinct from solitude, and is related to the quality of relationships rather than the quantity [5][6] Intentional Groups & Social Connection - Intentional groups offer a potent form of connection, sometimes exceeding the impact of close relationships, with half of Brazilians participating in such groups [7][8] - 74% of participants find intentional groups as important or more important for their well-being than friendships [9] - Intentional groups are formed through conscious choice and intention to connect, differing from context-driven relationships like family or social media [9][10] - Participation in groups can combat loneliness, with 87% of participants feeling less alone [13][14] - Most intentional groups meet in person and are small, with a median of 12 participants [16] Overcoming Stigma & Promoting Connection - There is societal prejudice against seeking connection outside of family and friends, similar to the historical stigma around therapy [17] - 70% of people who do not participate in groups would like to, but are held back by fear of judgment and vulnerability [18] - Normalizing participation in intentional groups can encourage more people to seek these relationships [19]

I need you right now. Me for what. My big sister needed me.I was 17 and she was 20. You know, Katie told me she needed me when she had brain cancer. About a year into her diagnosis, my brother and I were headed out the door to get ice cream.When she asked to go, I said yes, but this wasn't my best day as a caregiver. I slipped and I was tired and showed on my face that I was reluctant to bring her. In that moment, uh, I was balancing supporting my terminally ill sister and my own youth mental health.You kno ...

Bakaca [Música] [Aplausos] [Música] vivendo uma crise afetiva. As nossas amizades têm se revelado cada vez mais insuficientes. E não é porque a gente não gosta mais dos nossos amigos, mas é porque tem algo mais profundo acontecendo.Nos últimos anos, a pressão para atender as expectativas dos outros só aumentou, enquanto ao mesmo tempo, a nossa disposição para realmente cuidar desses vínculos foi diminuindo. A gente quer que as nossas trocas funcionem na mesma velocidade das redes sociais, mas parece que nin ...

[Music] Three years ago, I faced a major challenge as a teacher. The pandemic had forced our school online and my ninth grade students that were typically active, engaged, and collaborative in lessons were suddenly passive and disengaged online. I would send them into breakout rooms to collaborate on learning activities.And why when I entered those breakout rooms, I was met by awkward silence. It was like my students had forgot how to connect with other human beings. I realized I needed to do something as a ...

Societal Impact of Disconnection - Societal disconnection leads to increased risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, dementia, and stroke [6] - Premature death associated with societal disconnection is comparable to smoking daily and potentially as bad as the effects of obesity [7] - Reduced investment in one another leads to polarization and decreased ability to face challenges collectively [8] Importance of Intentional Relationships - Intentional relationships involve knowing vulnerabilities, fears, victories, and struggles of others [8] - Strong support systems are associated with a 63% lower risk of depression, 47% less severe depression, and 22% less anxiety [11] - Intentional relationships benefit both the brain and body, and humans are hardwired for connection [12] Reclaiming Connection - The industry should recognize shallow relationships and actively take steps to reclaim depth in relationships [19] - Individuals can start by contacting someone they haven't spoken to in a while or joining a group to intentionally get to know someone [19] - Intentional relationships involve being known by others and truly knowing someone [20]