Modern medicine has reached heights once thought impossible. From helping repair brains, creating prosthetic limbs controlled by thought, and restoring movement after injury. These breakthroughs heal the body in incredible ways, but often miss one crucial unseen part of recovery.Before we begin, I encourage you to think about what healing means to you. Is it recovering from physical illness, weekly therapy sessions, a new environment, or something else entirely. We're often taught that healing comes in big ...

[Music] Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and the Netherlands. What makes these the happiest countries in the world. It is not the weather, nor the number of days of sunshine, or the length of daylight in the winter.Eyes on you, Finland. What makes these the happiest countries in the world. What do they have in common.They ride bicycles. Not only are these the happiest countries in the world, but they're also the countries with the highest rates of bicycling in the world. connected bike paths, greenways, n ...

[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 ...

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 friends, with individuals feeling judged and unheard [2][3] - Society is losing the ability to disagree respectfully, leading to social division and fueling loneliness [4] - Loneliness is a growing issue, with a quarter of Brazilians feeling lonely most of the time, and the World Health Organization recognizing it as a global health concern [5][6] Intentional Groups & Social Connection - Intentional groups offer a powerful alternative for connection, with half of Brazilians participating in groups outside their original circles [8] - 74% of participants find these groups as important or more important for their well-being than friendships [9] - Intentional groups combat loneliness, with 87% of participants feeling less alone [14] - These groups are diverse, formed for various reasons such as coping with illness, grief, or simply for shared interests [14][15] - Most intentional groups meet in person and are small, with a median of 12 participants [16] Overcoming Stigma & Promoting Connection - There is a stigma around participating in groups, similar to that surrounding therapy, due to societal emphasis on family and friends [17] - 70% of people who don't participate in groups would like to, but are afraid of judgment or feeling exposed [18] - Normalizing and sharing stories about intentional groups can break down stigmas and encourage more people to seek these connections [19]

Social Connection & Learning - Social connection improves well-being and learning, with the quality of relationships being the greatest predictor of long-term health and happiness [9] - Social connection increases resilience and decreases anxiety, leading to more engaged and motivated students [10] - Students feeling a sense of belonging in connection with their peers are more engaged and motivated in learning and ultimately learn more [10] The Decline of Social Connection - Since 2010, the amount of time people spend with their friends has decreased almost every year [12] - Teenagers today spend less than half the amount of time with their friends compared to their parents' generation [12] - The amount of students claiming they have no close friendships has quadrupled in the last generation, with 28% of young Gen Z adult men reporting no close friendships [13] The Role of Educators - Great teachers of the future will provide social emotional learning and support to students and utilize AI to personalize and maximize learning [7] - Teachers can intentionally create experiences that help students connect with one another [5] - Teachers can facilitate friendship by creating environments and social interactions that make social connection more likely, such as grouping students for challenging activities and encouraging conversations about values and challenges [18][19] AI and the Future of Education - The AI revolution is predicted to dramatically change the teaching profession over the next 10 years [6] - There's a risk that increased efficiency from AI could lead to students spending more time with AI tutors and less with peers, potentially raising a generation less capable of navigating social and emotional complexities [26] - The efficiency brought on by AI could free up time for teachers to focus on human connection [27]

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]