So, on the podcast all month, we've been talking about the State of Fitness and this week is no different, but we're delving into the mental health of it all.

One thing we're been touching on all month is how venture capital flowed into fitness - which in its purest form is community. And while cash gives things like groeth, cash taketh away when it demands insane metrics.

We saw that with connected fitness and talked about it on last week's podcast.

This week, I said aloud, "I hope there's not a way that cash can ruin mental health and mindfulness ... except if it becomes a luxury."

And then Kristen Geil who used to be our Editor in Chief texted me this profile piece about Peoplehood. That article in the LA Times states, "some experts express skepticism about these new programs, which could be viewed as commodifying human relationships."

Fear not, mindfulness can be accessible to all until someone finds a way to charge for breathing.

Regardless of the capital of it all, it was important for us to include mental health in this year’s state of fitness survey. This week we talk through what you told us about your mental health and mindfulness practices. We share data, correlations, and wild assumptions.

Why?

A study we love to quote is the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which tells us that the easiest way to predict a long and happy life is the strong social connections one has. Several studies found that people’s level of satisfaction with their relationships at age 50 was a better predictor of physical health than their cholesterol levels were.

On the flip side, according to the CDC, Social isolation significantly increased a person's risk of premature death from all causes, a risk that may rival things like smoking and physical inactivity. Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.

Friendship and mental health really, really matter for your quality of life and longevity. And that’s why we’re all here at aSweatLife.

So listen to what we have to say about the state of fitness and your mental health.

Resource:

• State of Fitness
• The Harvard Study of Adult Development
• The CDC's findings on social isolation
• Studies on mindfulness
• Headspace funding
• Calm funding
• Open Mindfulness Studio funding
• Awe by Dacher Keltner
• Josie and The Pussycats
• The Game, book
• This Works Sleep Spray
• Spotify ‘00s Rock Anthems Playlist
• Back to the beach
• The Daily Calm in the calm app