Ctrl+Alt+Ignore: Your Toolkit for Online Sanity!

Welcome to Effective Habits, a weekly newsletter where I share evidence-based strategies and tools to help you live a happy, healthy, and productive life.

Today at a Glance:

• Your Friends Don’t All Have to Be the Same Age

• Reassessing the Relationship Between Alcohol Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

• When Critical Thinking Isn’t Enough: To Beat Information Overload, We Need to Learn ‘Critical Ignoring’

Your Friends Don’t All Have to Be the Same Age
Annie Midori Atherton

Lights, Camera, ...
Unlocking a richer, more fulfilling social life might be as simple as breaking free from the gravitational pull of age homogeneity. A recent study reveals that over 80% of adults stick to friends within a five-year age range. But why limit your social circle when befriending someone decades older or younger can be a game-changer? Picture this: a 36-year-old bonding over pottery with his former middle-school art teacher, or seniors mentoring youth in an intergenerational friendship program. These connections not only break stereotypes but also offer practical help, fresh perspectives, and a sense of purpose. In a world battling loneliness and ageism, making friends beyond your age group might just be the secret to a more enriching, vibrant life. So, go ahead, knit with a friend four decades your senior, and keep the pub open into your 80s!

Action!

1. Diversify Your Social Circles: Actively seek out friends who are both older and younger than you to break away from the age-centric norm. Join clubs, sports teams, or professional societies where you can meet people of different age groups.

2. Challenge Stereotypes: Resist societal stereotypes about age-appropriate behavior. Embrace the freedom to be yourself regardless of age and encourage others to do the same. Break free from preconceived notions about how individuals "should" act based on their age.

3. Share Knowledge and Experiences: Actively share your knowledge and experiences with friends of different ages, and be open to learning from them. This mutual exchange can be mutually enriching and create a more supportive social environment.

Reassessing the Relationship Between Alcohol Intake and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Dr. Peter Attia

Lights, Camera, ...
In the quest to understand the link between alcohol intake and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, a groundbreaking study published in JAMA Cardiology has turned to Mendelian randomization for clarity. Contrary to previous beliefs, the research involving 371,436 individuals over ten years found that all levels of alcohol exposure, including low and moderate intake, were associated with increased CVD risk. The study revealed a nonlinear relationship, indicating that while low-level consumption slightly elevates risk, higher intake exponentially raises the odds of hypertension and coronary artery disease. The key takeaway: no amount of alcohol is beneficial for cardiovascular health, but the risks associated with low intake are minimal, and even a modest reduction, can yield significant benefits.

Action!

• Reduce your alcohol consumption gradually, recognizing that even a small decrease can bring notable health benefits. However, don't worry excessively about low intake, as the associated risks are minimal.

When Critical Thinking Isn’t Enough: To Beat Information Overload, We Need to Learn ‘Critical Ignoring’
Dr. R. Hertwig, Dr. A. Kozyreva, Dr. S. Wineburg, Dr. S. Lewandowsky

Lights, Camera, ...
In the chaotic realm of the internet, where a treasure trove of valuable information coexists with a deluge of distracting, false, and manipulative content, relying solely on critical thinking is no longer sufficient. The constant battle for our attention, fueled by platforms designed to hijack it for profit, demands a new skill: "critical ignoring." This involves strategically choosing what to ignore in order to reclaim autonomy and shield ourselves from information overload. Three key strategies – self-nudging, lateral reading, and the "do-not-feed-the-trolls" heuristic – empower individuals to navigate the digital landscape wisely. Critical ignoring is a vital competency for all citizens in the digital age, requiring educational efforts to empower the public in mastering these tools. As philosopher William James wisely noted, "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to ignore.”

Action!

1. Self-nudging: Design your informational environment by eliminating distracting notifications, establishing specific message-receiving times for focused work or socializing, and controlling digital default settings to protect personal data from targeted advertisements.

2. Lateral reading: A strategy to verify the credibility of online information before investing attention. Rather than immediately delving into a site's content, open new browser tabs to investigate the organization or individual behind it. Skilled searchers consult the open web first, ignoring the site's appeal, and engage in lateral reading to ensure the reliability of information.

3. “Do-not-feed-the-trolls”: Combat online harassment and disinformation by adopting this heuristic. Trolls and malicious users thrive on attention, so resist direct responses, debates, or retaliation. Instead, practice critical ignoring as a first line of defense, complemented by actions like blocking, reporting, and supporting transparent platform content moderation policies, including debunking.

TOOL TIP

Map of the Best: A curated collection and map of the world's most distinguished restaurants and bars. It’s regularly updated and covers most regions of the world. So, if you’re ever trying to find the best place to grab a bite where you live or while on vacation, check this site out.

FUN FACT

The longest anyone has held their breath underwater is over 24.5 minutes. The world record for breath-holding underwater was achieved by Croatian Budimir Šobat on 27 March 2021, who held his breath for a total of 24 minutes and 37 seconds. On average, a human can hold their breath between 30-90 seconds.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional for advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not liable for any risks or issues that may arise from using this information.