Why Is Social Connection So Hard for Young Adults?
Social connectedness is vital to well-being, but members of Gen Z are hesitant about interacting with one another in today’s online and polarized world, says Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki. That disconnection comes at a cost: Young adults increasingly report lower levels of happiness than middle-aged and older adults. Here, Zaki talks about why that is […]
How to Teach Mindfulness in a More Social Way
Social disconnection, isolation, and stress are key contributors to the loneliness epidemic and Mental health crisis impacting young people on college campuses today. These issues affect people of all generations in the United States and across the globe. Feeling connected and accepted by others is a fundamental human need. In education, belonging and connection […]
The Rise of Cosmetic Surgery in the Social Media Era
Recent studies reveal that 70% of young adult women and 60% of young adult men are unhappy with their bodies. This troubling statistic coincides with the increasing normalization and availability of cosmetic surgery. In 2023 alone, Canadians underwent 35 million aesthetic procedures—a staggering 40% increase from four years prior. But what’s fueling this sharp rise? […]
Can Social Activity Be a Form of Medicine?
As a hospital-based physician, I almost always treat people with serious chronic health conditions. As a consequence of these conditions, they lose not just energy but also connection to much of what makes them feel alive. Such was the case with Mr. T., a 67-year-old man I recently cared for at Alta Bates Summit Medical […]
Seven Insights From Teens About Social Media and…
For better or for worse, social media has become the go-to for hot takes and heated debate, whether it’s about the election, movies, or pizza. But for parents and others who care about kids, the most important discussion at the moment is about the existence of social media itself, and how it affects the Mental […]
Social Media and Teens | Gottman
Remember MTV, and the hours of time spent in front of the television (the one in my memory still had knobs, no remote) waiting to catch that one music video you wanted to see? The VJs and their amazing style, the game shows that we may or may not have been allowed to watch, the […]
Warning Labels on Social Media Should Be Applauded
One day in seventh grade, my “training bra” fell out of my bag at school. A few boys got hold of it, tossed it around jokingly, and were inspired to give me the nickname “NoMo” for no movement, an apt but cruel description of my breasts, which certainly didn’t move or bounce like those of […]
Managing Social Pressures Around Sugar
The challenges of sugar dependence are real, and fighting their impact can be difficult to navigate. One of the hardest parts of managing sugar dependence can be managing social pressures. Whether it be pressure from friends, family, your spouse, or even coworkers—social pressures can make it more challenging to successfully fight sugar dependence and are […]