What's Inspiring My Week + Themes

Social connections are worth more than vitamins. Loneliness is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. People with strong social bonds live 50% longer.

What if thanksgiving + christmas week was actually healing?

I'm sure you hear all the hype of gratitude and your inbox is full of GRATEFUL things. I wanted to get into the science of why it matters AND how it ties in to my four weeks on longevity. Gratitude is not an emotion. It’s a physiological state that heals the body, lengthens life, and improves emotional resilience.

Thanksgiving becomes an annual reminder of a practice our nervous system needs every day. Gratitude mixed with "The Table" you've built of your social support systems means that this week is SUPER DRIVEN to heal and boost your system if you let it.

The "Table" You've Built

Saves You

In every Blue Zone (where people live into 100's on onward in a heathy way) people live longer not because of discipline, supplements, or perfect habits, but because they sit at the table with others that SEE THEM. 

REMINDER: It’s not about the number of friends but the quality of relationships. A single person with whom you can be yourself around extends your life more than any diet. 

Here are some of my fun Thanksgiving truths (can Thanksgiving week actually be healing?)

1. Humans heal when we are witnessed
In Blue Zones typically the elders have purpose either cooking, watching kids, gardening, and they come together with their social groups.  Science shows that emotional sharing reduces cortisol and stabilizes the heart. When you feel comfortable with people, you live longer.



2. Hate Slow Meals as Much as I do?
Research shows that eating with someone increases oxytocin and digestion by up to 30 percent. (Okkk fine)))

3. Social connection shifts your biology
Consistent gratitude practices + consistent connection with other humans that value you lower inflammation markers and increase serotonin and dopamine (aka increase your longevity + quality of life) Your heart also tries to co-regulate. If you're near people you love it makes you calm, and that calming feeling travels up the vagus nerve to steady your blood pressure.

Here's what Thanksgiving + the longevity studies tell me.

We're not meant to do it alone. You don't have to be impressive to be loved. Lean into the people who love you for being quirky, imperfect you and share what you can about your life.

The "table you've built" are the people who you surround yourself with full of love + they truly shape the length and quality of your life.

Where does this come from?

I work hard on a concept Sunday-Wednesday and teach through the kinks in order to arrive at what I hope is more assembled and clear thoughts. Direct, to the point, of what's inspiring me. Want to learn more? My online classes deep dive or we can personally work together in mentorship. Email me katie@binspired.life or find all the goodies here

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