From 600+ conversations with the world’s leading thinkers.
We have a significant ability to change our cognitive trajectory. But first, we need to believe it's possible. And second, we need to engage in the things that allow it to happen.
What's special about it as a science subject is that it is so awkward, it doesn't lend itself to easy solutions. It's a multi-factorial problem, very different to- for example- the question of what causes influenza?
Today's Coronavirus crisis is not a force-majeure, it is a biological phenomenon, the spread of which is an indictment, and commentary on the mediocrity global leadership. It should never have escaped Wuhan, and the fact it has shows a failure of leadership and now the very same people who are responsible for neglecting these issues are being invited to comment on it, and lead our way out.
Those defending the inevitability of death vastly outnumber the proponents of indefinite life. This almost trance-like acceptance of the status quo is genuinely surprising to me.
Alzheimer's starts its destructive process 30 years prior to its typical diagnosis. Therefore, when considering the prevalence of this disease, we're speaking of 7 million diagnosed patients in the US. But then, one might ask, how many Americans currently have the initial stages of Alzheimer's, characterized by amyloid plaques, cell death, tangles, and inflammation, already festering in their brains? I concur with the higher estimates, suggesting around 40 million people.
When we crafted that phrase, it was because we saw a similarity with physical fitness. If you work out today, you don't return home and declare, 'Great, I'm finished, I never have to exercise again.' Those with the strongest social bonds diligently nurture them throughout their lives.
Endurance is mind over body. It's about tapping into something within us that allows us to push further than we ever thought possible, especially at our weakest moments.
My advice is to grab hold of people that are close to you and lean on them heavily. That's how we're designed to work!
When I sense stress, I allot three minutes to fully immerse myself in it. Many individuals attempt to escape stress, but evasion often amplifies it. It's akin to instructing someone not to think of pink elephants; the very command makes it impossible not to.
The key to getting over war is to talk about it. Nobody will think of you as the weak link- they'll either help you, point you to help, or perhaps even tell you they're going through the same. We all need to be more open; we're all going through something and communication is important.
Last week I was asked to help the NHS get video-consultations up and running in every GP practice in the country, in one week.
My actual definition to describe mental fitness is your ability to remain in a neutral to positive state for most of your day, regardless of what the day is throwing at you and that is not the state people are in nowadays.