Better than a six-pack

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Today on Dad Strength

• Better than a six-pack

• The paradox of injury

• Redefining optimism

• A book, a quote, a dad joke

Better than a six-pack

The longest-running study of happiness, the Harvard Study of Adult Development, began in 1938 and is still running. Director, George Vaillant, pored over 75 years of research to determine the number one factor in general well-being: it’s cold plunges. Hold on. Sorry, I mixed this up with my Joe Rogan show notes. It’s relationships. Not career. Not status. Not shredded abs. The evidence shows that men’s relationships are the most important factor.

I should point out here that the study really just looks at male relationships – which is an artifact of when/where/how the study began. However, I would put my money on intimate relationships – in general – correlating extremely well with your physical and mental health.

One actionable item: one of the most powerful things you can do in any relationship is to articulate what you appreciate about a person in clear, descriptive, and – above all – honest language. It doesn’t have to be big; it just has to be real. Is there someone you can share this kind of feedback with right now?

One perspective: build the habit of interpreting the actions of others through the lens of hope and optimism. Interpret things in the best possible light. This is what humanistic psychologist, Carl Rogers, called unconditional positive regard.

One question: how are you investing in your relationships?

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The paradox of injury

It seems kind of backwards to get hurt doing exercise. Like getting beat-up from training in self-defence (which is supposed to keep you from getting beat up in the first place). On the other hand, what’s the alternative? Lock you in a tower? Cover you in bubble wrap? At the end of the day, the risks of activity remain lower than the risks of non-activity.

Living life to its fullest means some tolerance for risk… Something that, on your deathbed, you’ll think – “If I could do it all over again, I would make the same choices.” That being said, there are some ways to mitigate risk. Here are five:

• Don’t try to make up for lost time. Instead, add volume progressively
  

• Look for some sense of challenge in every single session but don’t white-knuckle your way through every single workout.

• Let your body lead you, not a sense of comparison

• Skills last longer than any changes to body composition. Invest in those skills
  

• If a movement isn’t feeling right, you can always just stop. You have that freedom. However, you may also want to ask how little modification is required for the movement to feel challenging but good. Making these adjustments is an art form

Redefining optimism

Proposal for an updated definition of optimism:

Optimism is being open to the idea that this moment, exactly as it is, is perfect.

A Book

The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger M.D.

A Quote

A Dad joke

Necromancy is a dying art.

Take care of yourself, man!

Geoff Girvitz
Father, founder, physical culturist
dadstrength.com

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