(EMERGENCY) This Common Lifestyle Is Killing 1 Person Every 3 Seconds! Michael Easter | The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

Intro

In this episode of “The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett,” Steven interviews Michael Easter, an author and journalist, about the common lifestyle that is causing harm to individuals. They discuss the impact of the comfort crisis, the role of ancient adaptations in modern environments, the link between diet and heart disease, the effects of noise pollution, the dangers of addiction, and the importance of embracing discomfort for personal growth and happiness.

Main Takeaways

The Comfort Crisis and Burnout

• Humans are not designed to live in the world we live in now.
• Comfort crisis is causing burnout, stress, mental health problems, and addiction.
• Being a 2% means embracing short-term discomfort to gain long-term benefits.

The Impact of Modern Lifestyles

• The average person today takes in 12-13 hours of digital media a day, which is an insane shift in how people spend their time and attention every day.
• Humans have ancient adaptations that used to make sense in environments where survival was scarce, but these drives can backfire in modern environments of abundance.
• Modern symptoms of the evolutionary mismatch include chronic diseases, mental health issues, and a lack of fitness.

The Link Between Diet and Heart Disease

• Heart disease is the number one killer of humans globally, especially in developed countries.
• A tribe in Bolivia with the healthiest heart ever recorded by science attributes their lack of heart disease and other chronic diseases to their diet, which goes against popular fat diets of the last 40 years.
• The tribe’s diet consists of one-ingredient foods such as rice, potatoes, red meat from Amazonian deer, fish, nuts, fruits, and even sugar.

The Scarcity Loop and Addiction

• Addiction is choosing short-term relief at the expense of long-term growth.
• The scarcity loop is a three-part behavior loop: opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability.
• Understanding the root cause of addiction can help find more productive ways to fulfill the need for extreme experiences.

Noise Pollution and Loneliness

• 2000 heart disease deaths per year in Europe are due to the noise people live in.
• Open plan offices can lead to anxiety, depression, and decreased productivity.
• Being alone and being lonely are two different things, and being alone can be beneficial for personal growth and happiness.

The Power of Discomfort and Physical Activity

• Humans have increased the loudness of the world about fourfold since before we became this species that overtook the planet. People tend to get stressed out when they’re in lots of noise all the time.
• Our ancestors were about 14 times more physically active than us, and this drive to do the next easiest, most comfortable thing often backfires today.
• Rucking, which is loading up a backpack with weight and walking, is a good form of physical activity that combines cardio and weight training.

Summary

The Comfort Crisis and Burnout

Living in a world of comfort and convenience has led to a crisis of burnout, stress, mental health problems, and addiction. Embracing short-term discomfort is essential for long-term benefits and personal growth.

The Impact of Modern Lifestyles

The modern lifestyle, characterized by excessive digital media consumption and a mismatch between ancient adaptations and modern environments of abundance, has resulted in chronic diseases, mental health issues, and a lack of fitness.

The Link Between Diet and Heart Disease

Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally, especially in developed countries. Contrary to popular fat diets, a tribe in Bolivia with the healthiest heart ever recorded attributes their lack of heart disease and other chronic diseases to a diet consisting of one-ingredient foods.

The Scarcity Loop and Addiction

Addiction is a symptom of choosing short-term relief at the expense of long-term growth. The scarcity loop, characterized by opportunity, unpredictable rewards, and quick repeatability, plays a significant role in addictive behaviors.

Noise Pollution and Loneliness

Noise pollution, including open plan offices and constant loud noises, can lead to stress, anxiety, and even heart disease. Being alone, as opposed to being lonely, can be beneficial for personal growth and happiness.

The Power of Discomfort and Physical Activity

Living in an increasingly comfortable world has led to a lack of physical activity and fitness. Embracing discomfort and engaging in physical activities, such as rucking, can improve overall health and well-being.

Conclusion

The modern lifestyle’s emphasis on comfort and convenience has resulted in various health and well-being challenges. By embracing discomfort, making conscious dietary choices, managing noise pollution, and engaging in physical activities, individuals can take back control of their lives, promote personal growth, and improve overall happiness and well-being.