Recognize your inherent power to change the world by joining with other people, as ordinary individuals have repeatedly achieved transformative change not alone, but through collective effort. Together, we can undo human-made societal decisions that cause distress and build a better world.
Understand that personal pain and societal problems have understandable causes, and if you cannot solve them individually, connect with groups who can collectively work to change those underlying causes. This collective approach is essential for dealing with the reasons why we have been made to feel bad.
Understand that the opposite of addiction is connection; prioritize bonding and connecting with people and meaningful activities in your life to fulfill the innate human need to bond. In an environment where you feel starved of meaningful things, you will bond with something, so ensure it’s healthy connection.
When encountering addiction (including digital addiction), focus on understanding and addressing the underlying pain or unmet needs that drive the behavior, rather than solely focusing on the addictive object itself. Ask ‘why the pain?’ instead of ‘why the addiction?’ to get to the root cause.
Strive to see yourself as part of a connected tapestry of wider meaning, just as humans evolved in tribes, as this fosters a sense of belonging. Individuals feel much more satisfied and better about their lives naturally when they are deeply connected to others.
Actively seek and prioritize real-life human connection over digital interaction, as screens and social media often replace genuine connection, leading to a diminished sense of belonging and value. Digital interaction is not the same as human connection and cannot fulfill basic psychological needs.
When feeling down, instead of focusing on yourself, leave your phone at home and actively listen to someone, being fully present without distractions. In a culture where people often feel unseen and unheard, turning up and truly listening is one of the greatest gifts you can give.
Shift from an individualistic pursuit of happiness (like buying things for yourself) to a collective one by doing something for your friends, family, or community. Research suggests that in many cultures, trying to make yourself happier by helping others is more effective for well-being.
If you feel you don’t belong or are unwell-adjusted to a sick society, recognize this as a sign of sanity rather than a personal failing or craziness. It indicates that you are not adjusting to a society that may not be meeting basic psychological needs.
Reflect on how and why you are using substances or technology; if it’s to soothe pain, isolation, or a lack of meaning, it can be a slippery slope. Using it for genuine connection or enjoyment with others, however, has a different and potentially healthier effect.
Utilize social media and screens in helpful ways, but be mindful not to use them as a substitute for real human connection and what it genuinely means to be human. Social media can be valuable for good, but not as a replacement for real life.
Use social media as a ‘way station’ to meet people offline and stay in touch with existing offline connections, rather than letting it be the sole or final destination for social interaction. If it’s the ’last stop on the line,’ something has gone wrong.
Participate in activities like swimming that inherently force you to be mindful and switch off from digital distractions, promoting presence and mental well-being. Seek out activities that naturally prevent you from being constantly connected to screens.
Intentionally seek out environments or activities where you are forced to leave your phone behind, allowing you to be fully present and appreciate the experience without digital distraction. This can provide a ‘blissful relief’ and help you reconnect with the immediate world.
Focus on living in the moment and enjoying experiences for their own sake, rather than living to display your life to others. Living to display your life rather than to be in the moment is a cause of depression and anxiety.
Be aware of and actively resist living in a way designed to invite the envy of others, as this ’envy contest’ is a significant contributor to unhappiness and anxiety. So much of how we live now is designed to invite envy, which is a problematic dynamic.
Ask yourself why you engage in digital sharing (e.g., filming concerts): are you doing it because you genuinely want the footage, or because you feel compelled by societal norms or peer pressure? Critically assess if you are sharing because you truly want to, or if you feel you ‘have to’.
Avoid constantly capturing and sharing every moment of life on social media, especially around children, to model mindful digital behavior and prevent the ‘hollowing out’ of genuine experience. Show children that not every moment needs to be documented and shared with the world.
Be conscious of the tendency to perform actions solely for social media posting and external validation, and intentionally choose not to share every life experience online. This helps preserve intrinsic motivation and genuine experience, rather than doing things just so they ‘happened’ on social media.
Practice small acts of kindness, such as making a cup of tea for a colleague (even one you don’t like), to combat individualism and foster connection. There is something powerful about doing things for other people in a society that has become too individualistic.
Actively seek ways to ‘become a regular’ again in physical community spaces, as traditional gathering places like pubs and churches are diminishing. These places provide vital opportunities for community and unwinding, which are crucial for well-being.
Utilize the LIVE framework (Love, Intention, Vision, Engagement) to cultivate more meaning and purpose in life. Specifically, focus on the ‘Engagement’ aspect by doing something with others and for others to enhance your sense of purpose.
Understand that excessive digital engagement (like gaming) often stems from unmet basic psychological needs such as status, identity, and belonging, which were traditionally provided by culture. Identifying these unmet needs is the first step to addressing them more healthily.
Recognize that social media often appears to offer what society has lost (e.g., friends, status), but it’s not a true replacement; understand it as a complex symptom of deeper societal issues rather than solely blaming the technology itself. Loneliness and other issues existed before the internet and were ‘supercharged’.
Approach others’ digital habits, like filming concerts, with understanding and compassion, recognizing that these behaviors often reflect broader societal trends rather than individual malice. It’s a reflection of where society has gotten to, not necessarily a personal failing.
Seek simple, immediately implementable tips to transform how you feel, as getting healthy has become overly complicated. The goal is to empower you with practical advice you can put into practice immediately.
Consider taking a nutrient-dense whole food supplement like Athletic Greens each morning as an insurance policy to ensure you’re meeting your nutritional needs. This is especially recommended if getting all nutrition from whole foods isn’t always possible.