Podcast Summary
Underestimating Younger Generations' Resilience: Despite societal biases, resilience comes from identity, community, and personal control. Foster these traits to raise resilient kids, regardless of their generation.
The perception of younger generations being less resilient than older ones is not a new phenomenon and may not be entirely accurate. Bruce Dazley, a bestselling author, argues that resilience comes from three things: identity, community, and a sense of control. He cautions against dismissing the resilience of younger generations based on trends and biases. The marshmallow test, a common measure of self-control and resilience, has led some social scientists to believe that young people today are less capable in this area than their predecessors. However, it's essential to consider that these perceptions may be influenced by societal trends and biases, and further research is needed to make definitive conclusions. Overall, raising children to be resilient requires fostering their sense of identity, community, and personal agency, regardless of their generation. Recommended podcast: The D2C Pod, an audio destination for business professionals, covers stories behind direct-to-consumer brands.
Children today have unique challenges impacting their resilience: Research shows children today are more resilient, but lack of control can negatively impact their health and happiness, leading to slower healing times and poorer outcomes. Young people today get less sleep and feel they have no control over their busy schedules, leading to sleep procrastination.
Contrary to popular belief, children today are not less resilient than previous generations. In fact, research shows that they perform better on tests of resilience, such as the marshmallow test. However, they do face unique challenges that can impact their resilience, including having less control over their lives. This lack of control can have serious consequences, as studies have shown that people who feel they have less control over their lives are more likely to suffer from health problems and experience lower levels of happiness. For example, dental patients and cancer victims with a sense of low control have been shown to have slower healing times and poorer outcomes. Young people today, particularly teenagers, are getting less sleep than they did in the past, and they often feel they have no control over their busy schedules. This can lead to nighttime sleep procrastination, where they stay up late despite feeling exhausted. The freedom to control one's life is a key predictor of happiness, so it's important to find ways to help young people feel more in control and build their resilience in other areas.
Control and reward in work affect energy levels and resilience: Feeling in control and rewarded at work can boost energy and resilience, while lack of control and rewards can lead to fatigue. Connections and social support also play a crucial role in fostering resilience.
Perceived control and reward in our work significantly impact our energy levels and resilience, potentially even more than physical activity. Research on nurses showed that those who felt they had control over their tasks and were rewarded for their efforts remained energized, while those without such perceptions felt increasingly tired. A study during the pandemic's early months also highlighted the importance of connections and social support in fostering resilience. Teenagers who had regular family meals experienced reduced depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that resilience is a collective strength, and feeling connected to those around us can help us navigate challenging situations.
Support and social connections build resilience: Social support is crucial for resilience and healing from trauma. Strong groups form naturally and promote overall well-being, while loneliness can have negative effects.
Resilience is not an individual trait, but a collective strength. When we notice that people around us are struggling, instead of sending them to seminars or workshops to learn coping techniques, we should focus on making them feel more supported, recognized, and seen. Being part of a strong group is an effective way to build resilience and heal from trauma. Research shows that social support is twice as important as the severity of the trauma in predicting PTSD. Groups form quickly and naturally, and we tend to stick with them because not being part of a group can have negative effects. It's important to note that living alone does not automatically mean being lonely, but people who live alone may wake up more times during the night due to self-protective instincts. Overall, the impact of loneliness is becoming more recognized, and it's crucial to prioritize building strong social connections to promote resilience and overall well-being.
Social connections impact overall health and well-being: Strong social relationships improve mental, emotional, and physical health, leading to better survival rates and productivity.
Being part of social groups and having strong social relationships is crucial for our overall health and well-being. Research shows that people who live alone and feel lonely have higher blood pressure and cortisol levels, leading to worse health outcomes. A study on heart attack patients found that stronger social relations were the biggest predictor of survival, even surpassing the importance of quitting smoking. Therefore, it's essential to be intentional about sustaining friendships and feeling connected to others, whether it's through work or social groups. This not only benefits our mental and emotional health but also makes us feel more human. Additionally, research shows that groups can make challenging tasks seem easier and help individuals perform better. So, prioritizing social connections can lead to improved health and productivity.
The Power of Working Together: Collaboration and support lead to increased performance and productivity, both for teams and individuals. Endorphin levels are higher when people work together, resulting in better endurance and faster completion times.
Working together and feeling supported can lead to increased performance and productivity, both for customer service teams and individuals. Visitor.com's customer success workspace helps reps anticipate customer needs and feel supported, leading to better service and happier customers. Similarly, Oxford University research shows that endorphin levels are twice as high when people work together, leading to increased endurance and faster completion times. These findings highlight the importance of synchronization and support in driving better results, whether it's in a customer service team or on a rowing team. By feeling connected and in sync with those around us, we can all perform at our best. To learn more about how Visitor.com can help your customer service team, visit visithubspot.com/service. And remember, the next time you're facing a challenge, whether it's rowing a boat or providing excellent customer service, don't underestimate the power of working together.
Synchronized group activities boost well-being: Engaging in group activities like sports, music, or volunteering can enhance endorphin production, foster connections, and lead to improved well-being
Synchrony and group activities, whether it's sports, music, or volunteering, can lead to significant improvements and benefits. Solo athletes might miss out on potential enhancements by not warming up with a group. Endorphin levels rise for teams that do activities in sync, and even strangers can synchronize their heartbeats during shared experiences. Research shows that volunteering, such as organizing a parkrun event, can improve well-being more than actively participating in the activity itself. The sense of connection and belonging that comes from being part of a group can lead to positive health outcomes.
The Power of Social Connections in Improving Health: Social interaction and connection within a group may be the real contributor to improved health, rather than the specific activity itself. Building resilience through control and social connections makes group activities essential in fostering resilience.
Being part of a group or social connection may have a more significant impact on our health and wellbeing than previously thought. A study by Alex Haslam and his team discovered that the health benefits were equivalent for individuals participating in a reminiscence exercise compared to those doing aerobics. This suggests that the social interaction and connection within a group may be the real contributor to improved health, rather than the specific activity itself. Additionally, resilience can be built through control and social connections, making group activities an essential component in fostering resilience. So, whether it's quitting smoking or preparing for a sporting event, doing it with a group can make a difference. Don't miss out on joining a community of like-minded individuals by signing up for my newsletter, and consider picking up Bruce's book for more insights on the power of social connections.
