August 5, 2025 • 27 mins
Your mental wellbeing faces a perfect storm of threats. Economic strain crushes family finances while access to mental health support dwindles. Social isolation — accelerated by pandemic lockdowns and digital substitutes for real connection — has created what experts now call a "loneliness epidemic." Family breakdowns and bitter political divisions complete this toxic mix that's literally killing Americans.
The statistics tell a grim story. Recent surveys reveal that between 2017 and 2019, so many young adults lost their lives to "deaths of despair" that US life expectancy decreased for the first time in a century. One in five millennials report having no friends. Over half of Gen Z experienced loneliness in the past year. Children at adventure camps share disturbing thoughts about identity confusion, suicidal ideation, and inability to read social cues after extended isolation.
But this episode doesn't just identify the problems and causes — it offers practical armor for your mind. Drawing from my personal journey from debilitating anxiety to confident adventurer, I share transformative strategies that don't require medication. Be sure to catch our episode on Vitamins and Minerals Supporting Mental Health . In this episode, you'll learn about the "spending diet" approach that up-leveled my financial health, the toxin-elimination protocol that cleared up debilitating health challenges, and how Mediterranean nutrition principles support mental wellness.
Most powerfully, you'll discover how nature connection and adventure sports create resilience against despair. When I founded the American Adventure Sports Club, we witnessed remarkable transformations in children struggling with mental health challenges. After just four days of outdoor skills training through archery, kayaking, and campfire therapy sessions, parents reported noticeable improvements in mood, behavior and school performance. But you'll hear from children about the biggest mental health challenges they're facing.
Ready to shield yourself and loved ones from America's mental health meltdown? Listen now to arm yourself with practical strategies for building resilience in these cha
DISCLAIMER: The information is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult your physician or healthcare professional before pursuing any health-related procedure or activity.
Hi friends, welcome to the new normal, Big Life Podcast! We bring you natural news and stories about nature that we hope will inspire you to get outside and adventure, along with a step-by-step plan to help you practice what you’ve learned and create your own new normal and live the biggest life you can dream. I’m your host, Antoinette Lee, the Wellness Warrior.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Crushed by cash, cut off alone.
Five silent killers money woes,no help, divorce, division,
isolation are shredding Americanfamilies' minds.
Research screams it Despair iswinning.
Hopelessness is spiking.
Stick with me.
This is America's mental healthmeltdown and I've got your
(00:23):
shield.
We're exposing the epidemic andarming you against deaths of
despair Heads up.
This episode dives into mentalhealth struggles that might hit
close to home or feel heavy forsome.
Take care of yourself, skip orpause if you need.
First up, let's unpack howthese five traps sneak in and
(00:43):
the one move that could saveyour sanity.
Hi friends, welcome to the NewNormal Big Life podcast.
We bring you natural news andstories about nature that we
hope will inspire you to getoutside and adventure, along
with a step-by-step plan to helpyou practice what you've
learned and create your own newnormal and live the biggest life
you can dream.
I'm your host, antoinette Lee,the wellness warrior.
(01:05):
Despair stalks, strike back now.
Here's armor for your mind.
Let's talk about America's topfive mental health challenges,
beginning with the lingeringeconomic strain.
The middle class is shrinkingfast.
Financial stress, from job loss, underemployment or living
paycheck to paycheck, can leadto anxiety, depression and
(01:29):
tension between partners andfamilies.
For instance, a familystruggling to pay for
necessities like food andhousing due to a job loss or
underemployment can experiencemore anxiety and depression.
The growing economicinequalities through the ever
shrinking middle class, wherehome ownership and affording the
(01:49):
things that make life enjoyable, makes those issues worse by
limiting access to resourcesthat could reduce mental health
problems.
Surveys like the KFFCNN MentalHealth in America survey
indicate that economic hardshipis a significant stressor, with
many families struggling withbasic needs, which, in turn,
(02:11):
affects mental health outcomes.
Here are some healthy economicstrategies that you can start
today.
Listen, I'm not financiallylucky, I'm financially strategic
.
Financially lucky, I'mfinancially strategic and these
are strategies that they've keptme and my household financially
stable, no matter what happensin the economy.
(02:33):
First, go on a spending diet.
I spent 12 months not spendinganything that wasn't a basic
necessity.
That means I bought food andpaid for health and wellness
care and basic living expenses.
I didn't buy anything for 12months.
When I met my financial goals,I maintained an easily
affordable lifestyle.
(02:54):
You can do this by pretendingyou earn 50 to 75 percent less
than you actually earn.
This strategy keeps you fromliving paycheck to paycheck and
you'll have more money forsavings and debt reduction.
You might be asking yourselfhow do I pay down debt and build
savings when there's nothingleft over after paying bills?
(03:14):
I took on a part-time job inretail, in addition to my work
as a writer and businessconsultant in the gig economy,
and I used 100% of the moneyearned from my part-time job to
pay off debt and save to buy ahouse and a new outdoor vehicle,
while on my spending diet.
I quit social media for 12months.
(03:35):
I avoided social media.
Not seeing others post aboutthe happiest and most fun parts
of their lives removed my fearof missing out and feelings like
everyone's life is better thanmine.
Those people might have hadmore things, more material
possessions, but I had more funand I was sacrificing today for
(03:56):
a better future.
I prioritized camping, kayaking, hiking, climbing, archery and
learning new skills for worklike AI prompt engineering.
It was important to me tocelebrate my progress at every
step.
I celebrated the little things.
Checking off accomplishments onmy vision board and watching
balances on my accounts owed godown and savings increase were
(04:21):
causes for celebration, but Ididn't spend money to celebrate.
I played one of my favoritesongs and danced while
celebrating my awesomeness.
Except for a new cabin in thewoods on a few acres and a new
dream outdoor vehicle, I'll bedebt-free by fall 2025.
The discipline it took to reachthis goal was easier than I
(04:43):
thought.
I redirected time spent onexpensive outings like Mimosa
Sundays with friends toward lowcost and free outdoor adventures
.
While my friends blew hundredsof dollars each week on outfits,
shoes, food and drinks, I wasactive and social with friends
and nature.
These are all healthy habitsthat we'll talk about in future
(05:08):
podcasts, so follow andsubscribe To do the things I've
done to create lifelongfinancial security for myself
wouldn't have been possible if Ididn't work on my head game,
but for many, the lack of accessto mental health services
leaves them struggling tosurvive and unable to thrive.
Even when families recognize theneed for mental health support,
(05:31):
barriers such as cost stigma ora lack of available providers
can prevent them from gettinghelp.
And when it comes to masculinemen and boys, the fear of their
character being labeled as toxicmasculinity is keeping them
from seeking mental health inthe current climate, which
demonizes their character typethe masculine male.
(05:53):
You can learn more about thetoxic nature of toxic
masculinity as a label and whatto do about it in our podcast
episode on this topic.
In addition, the AmericanPsychiatric Association
classifies substance usedisorders under psychiatric
conditions, further affirmingthe link between drug addiction
(06:14):
and mental health.
Recognizing addiction as amental health challenge is
crucial for developing effectivetreatment strategies that
address the whole person, notjust the symptoms of substance
abuse.
Studies show that a substantialnumber of Americans feel that
mental health and drug treatmentservices are not accessible,
(06:37):
with issues like long wait times, inadequate insurance coverage
and a shortage of mental healthprofessionals.
But there's also this lack oftrust among the general public
and healthcare providers.
Before we cover the next topicin this episode, I want to
introduce you to the AdventureSports Lifestyle with what I
(06:58):
call a micro story about anadventure that I've had.
The Adventure Sports Liflifestyle and my deep connection
to nature is essential to mygood health.
So here's the story.
Some people stand at theriver's edge on property they
own and wonder what it's likedown river.
I get in my kayak, read theriver and go experience what
it's like down river for myself.
(07:19):
I hope this inspires you to getoutside and adventure alone
with friends or the people youlove most.
Now back to the show, wherewe're discussing the impact of
social isolation and lonelinesson our mental health.
The erosion of community bonds,increased reliance on digital
communication and the breakdownof the traditional family
(07:40):
structures contribute towidespread loneliness, linked to
depression and other mentalhealth disorders.
Since the 2020 COVID lockdowns,families stopped gatherings
like Sunday dinners, backyardbarbecues and going out with
friends, even after the stay athome orders were lifted.
This strategic socialdistancing that had nothing to
(08:00):
do with stopping the spread ofviruses, because there's no
scientific proof that standingor sitting a certain distance
away from someone can prevent acough or sneeze virus from
landing on you.
However, what it successfullyaccomplished is that humans are
out of practice at being inface-to-face contact with other
(08:21):
humans.
Out of practice at being inface-to-face contact with other
humans.
If you haven't caught ourepisode on the virtual signaling
psychological operation, makesure you catch that, because
this episode will make a lotmore sense to you.
So why?
Why has this happened?
Because the plan is to have usall live, work and play in
(08:45):
controlled 15-minute citieswhere your movement and freedoms
, like going camping or fishingoutside of your 15-minute zone,
will be limited, if notprohibited, in the future, all
in a so-called attempt toprotect the environment.
But our ancestors were inconstant contact with the
natural world.
They were the stewards of theland and waterways where they
(09:09):
lived and nature thrived andsupported life before the mass
production of food.
This social distancing plan of2020 was a test to see how
compliant you'll be when yourability to get outside and
venture or go to visit grandmais regulated through social
credit scores and travel passes.
(09:29):
Social media exchange amongordinary people report concerns
about superficial socialconnections and the loneliness
epidemic.
This loneliness epidemic refersto the widespread isolation or
feeling of isolation and lack ofmeaningful social connections,
(09:49):
particularly among younger andolder demographics.
Additionally, research pointsto loneliness as a significant
factor in the mental healthcrisis.
Although I personally have adiagnosis of anxiety and major
depression, my symptoms are wellmanaged without medication.
You can listen to the NutrientConnection Supplements
(10:10):
Transforming Mental Healthepisode of our podcast to learn
which vitamins and mineralssupport mental health.
We include a downloadable listin the show description that you
can discuss with your healthcare team.
My natural health regimen hasmade me happy, confident and
(10:30):
adventurous.
Here's how I went from notleaving my home out of fear for
18 months to living a big andadventurous life.
First, remove all toxins fromyour life.
I cleaned up the toxicchemicals in my food, water and
health and beauty products.
Next, I adopted a Mediterraneanstyle diet and quality vitamins
, minerals and micronutrients,focusing on cell recovery,
(10:53):
detoxification,anti-inflammatory and cellular
energy.
There are episodes on thispodcast that cover how to do all
of these things.
I ended all toxic relationshipswith friends and family and
avoided distressing content inmovies and social media.
Remember you need to getoutside and adventure for your
(11:17):
mental and physical health.
I adopted a daily exerciseroutine, no matter the weather
or how I felt.
Even when I could barely movefrom the pain related to my
broken back or lupus-likeautoimmune disease, I still did
something, even if it was justfive minutes of yoga or
(11:38):
stretching.
Yet at the heart of thislifestyle was getting together
outdoors with others two tothree times a week for hiking,
fishing, kayaking and camping,for example.
But we can't cover this topicwithout talking about divorce
and family disruption and itsimpact on the mental health of
everyone involved.
Divorce can lead to emotionalturmoil for both parents and
(12:03):
children, contributing toincreased stress, depression and
behavioral issues in children.
It can also disrupt familysupport systems, financial
disruption and that are criticalfor good mental health.
The impact of divorce andfamily dysfunction on mental
health, highlighting how thesechanges can destabilize family
(12:29):
life and mental well-being is atopic of great discussion on
social media.
However, post-covid lockdowndivorce rates are similar to
rates before the lockdown.
There's never a good reason tostay in an unhealthy marriage,
so I'm not suggesting thatpeople stay together, no matter
the physical and emotional costsor dangers.
My best advice for establishingor re-establishing healthy
relationships is to surroundyourself with people with
(12:52):
similar philosophies andlifestyles.
Be your authentic self and bethe family, friend or partner
that you want others to be inyour life.
Most people expect others to begood to them and then, in
return, they'll be good to thatperson, but I treat my friends
and family the way they want tobe treated, because the way I
(13:14):
want to be treated might not behow my family or friend wants to
be treated, and they do thesame with me.
Following this model has helpedme build the best relationships
ever.
Yet the cultural and politicalpolarization has divided friends
, family and communities.
The divisiveness around issueslike politics, race, gender
(13:38):
identity, immigration and healthpolicies, like those regarding
vaccines, can create riftswithin families, leading to
stress, alienation and mentalhealth challenges.
Since 2020, the impact ofdivisive issues has left
families feeling the strain ofdiffering opinions, which can
(13:58):
lead to family conflict andemotional distress.
These five problems areinterconnected, often
compounding each other to createa complex mental health
landscape for American families.
Addressing these would requirea multifaceted approach,
including policy changes,community support systems and
individual coping strategies,and it seems most Americans have
(14:22):
lost their ability to cope witheven the smallest of challenges
.
Since 2020, cultural shiftshave happened at lightning speed
.
It's been a lot to learn,unlearn and adapt to.
My philosophy is simple we canagree to disagree, and I don't
have to stop liking you becauseyou see things differently.
(14:42):
Even if we disagree on socialand political issues, I can
still appreciate your goodcharacter and other important
qualities about you, if you havethem, because good mental
health matters to all of us.
Good mental health is essentialfor a high quality of life,
influencing our emotional,cognitive and social functioning
(15:05):
.
It directly relates to physicalhealth, reducing the risk of
chronic diseases and enhancingimmune function.
Mental well-being boostsproductivity, problem-solving
capabilities and resilience inprofessional and academic
environments, and resilience inprofessional and academic
environments.
It also enriches socialinteractions, fostering deeper
(15:30):
connections and effectivecommunication, supporting
personal fulfillment andachievement.
Economically, mental healthimpacts productivity and
healthcare costs, while sociallycontributing to a more engaged,
cohesive community.
After this break, we'll godeeper into the complexities of
mental health and learn aboutsome solutions to America's
mental health problem.
As we go deeper into thecomplexities of mental health,
(15:52):
it's increasingly clear that onerecurring issue an epidemic of
loneliness plays a critical rolein making these concerns worse.
Loneliness is a contributingfactor to despair and related
deaths.
Recent surveys indicate between2017 and 2019, so many
Generation Z youth andmillennial adults lost their
(16:14):
lives to deaths of despair thatUS life expectancy decreased for
the first time in 100 years.
That US life expectancydecreased for the first time in
100 years.
In addition, according to theCDC, one in five millennials
report having no friends, 56% ofGen Zers report loneliness in
the past 12 months and 5% ofseniors are depressed.
(16:35):
According to the Institute forFamily Studies, over the past
five years at our annualadventure camp with the American
Adventure Sports Club that Ifounded and operate with my
co-founder, the kids ages 6 to16 reported some disturbing
trends.
These are all direct quotesfrom kids over the years.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
What kids told their camp counselors.
I don't know what people'sfaces are telling me.
I don't want to talk about mypronouns, can't I just be a kid
and forget about that stuff?
My teacher wants me to act likea girl and I don't want to
because I'm a boy.
My mother got the COVID vaccineand she's always sick.
(17:16):
Now Is she gonna be okay?
I don't remember what it's liketo play with other kids.
I'm glad I'm at camp becauselast week I was thinking about
different ways to kill myself,but I don't want to do that
anymore.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
After four days at camp, parents reported a
noticeable improvement in theirchild's mood behavior and school
performance.
In their child's mood behaviorand school performance, we
emphasize teaching kids outdoorskills like archery, kayaking
and paddleboarding through achallenge-by-choice model and
group therapy sessions duringcampfire talks.
Try this with your kids.
The speed of social change hada traumatic impact on our
(17:55):
nation's children.
Loneliness peaks among youngadults 18 to 24 and seniors over
65, with different causes.
For the young, social media andtransient lifestyles play roles
.
For older adults, it's oftendue to the loss of social
networks through retirement orgrief.
The US tends to have higherloneliness rates than many
(18:17):
European countries, where socialnetworks and community
structures are stronger.
Dr Nicholas Kardaris, amongothers, has linked the rise in
depression to the widespread useof technology and social media,
suggesting that these tools,while connecting us globally,
often lead to superficialinteractions and a lack of deep,
(18:37):
meaningful relationships.
So here's what you need to knowto understand the deaths of
despair.
The term deaths of despair wascreated by economists Anne Case
and Angus Deaton to describe aspecific trend in death rates
observed in the United States.
This phrase first appeared intheir influential 2015 study,
(19:00):
where they noted an alarmingincrease in death rates among
middle-aged non-Hispanic whiteAmericans, particularly those
without a college degree.
These deaths were mainly due tosuicide, drug overdose,
especially from opioids, andalcohol-related liver disease,
which together they term deathsof despair.
(19:21):
The concept suggests that thesedeaths indicate broader
societal issues, includingeconomic distress, social
isolation and the lack ofpurpose or hope.
Don't sleep on how important itis to have something you're
passionate about, that makes youfeel good, useful and a part of
something bigger than yourself.
(19:42):
Data from various studies showthat since the late 1990s,
there's been a visible increasein deaths of despair Deaths from
suicide, drug overdose andalcohol-related deaths.
In the US.
From 1999 to 2017, suiciderates among middle-aged white
Americans saw a significant rise, with rates for those with a
(20:05):
high school education or lessbeing exceptionally higher.
The opioid crisis hascontributed dramatically to
deaths of despair, with drugoverdoses doubling from the
early 2000s to 2017, hitting apeak not seen since data
recording began.
Alcoholic liver disease andalcohol-related accidents
(20:29):
resulting in deaths alsoincrease, particularly among
less educated people, who mightalso have fewer resources and
access to prevention andtreatment programs.
The rise in crime and drug useconnected to unchecked illegal
immigration, allowing othernations to send their mentally
unstable and criminally mindedcitizens across US and other
(20:51):
western borders is connected tothese challenges.
Creating specific strategiesand resources that can help your
family improve their mentalhealth and foster resilience in
the face of hard times isessential.
Here's what we've learned fromother countries with less mental
health problems, who also livelonger and healthier lives.
(21:13):
European countries generallyhave more comprehensive social
safety nets and distinctcommunity structures compared to
the United States.
Here are some of the keydifferences Europe has universal
health care funded by taxes,providing access without
financial ruin.
However, denial of service andlong wait times are a frequent
(21:34):
complaint in Europe and Canada.
Generous and longerunemployment benefits, like
Germany's up to 24 months.
Europe has extensive parentalleave and subsidized child care,
exemplified by Sweden's 480days.
They have highly subsidized orfree higher education.
(21:55):
Reducing student debt.
Pension systems aimed atmaintaining a near working life
standard of living is whatyou'll see in many European
countries and a focus onaffordable housing, including
price control, rent, tiny homesand RV living.
However, europe is starting towell has advanced economic
(22:20):
challenges due to itsimmigration crisis increases
that are negatively impactingEuropean citizens' access to the
systems that once made mentalhealth less of a problem within
Europe.
(22:40):
European community structuresalso emphasize strong local
governance and social cohesion,although that's changing rapidly
.
They, in the past, havefostered a collective approach
to societal issues, in contrastto the US's reliance on private
insurance, limited unemploymentsupport, lack of federal paid
(23:01):
leave, high education costs,less generous pensions and fewer
housing options, reflectinghistorical, cultural and
political differences thatimpact outcomes in poverty,
health and social mobility.
However, americans want to helppeople more Still.
There are some big problems,like the dollar isn't worth as
(23:22):
much, our high national debt,the amount of money that we've
spent on illegal immigration,the struggling economy and many
folks thinking that governmentis too involved in their lives
already.
America would not thrive undera similar system like you see in
Europe, but here's how we couldstill make things better.
(23:45):
Let's examine blue zones,longevity and happiness.
Blue zones are regions wherepeople live significantly longer
than average.
These include places likeOkinawa, japan, sardinia, italy,
ikaria, greece, nicoya, costaRica and Loma Linda, california,
usa.
In these areas, how long youlive is linked to social
(24:09):
engagement through strongcommunity and family ties,
having a clear sense of purposein your daily life, adopting a
healthy lifestyle, like theadventure sports lifestyle that
I practice, eating natural,unprocessed foods, drinking
plenty of clean water half yourbody weights in ounces per day
at a minimum.
Water, half your body weightsin ounces per day at a minimum,
(24:29):
avoiding toxic chemicals,getting daily physical activity,
spending time in nature, closerelationships with friends and
family and natural stressrelievers like social
interactions during meals filledwith laughter and space for you
to be your authentic self.
The happiness and health inblue zones are often due to
(24:51):
these cultural practices thatpromote well-being and a sense
of community members helping andsupporting each other.
Now, that is something thatwould do very well in America.
The mental health challengesfaced by American families are
deeply intertwined with economic, social and cultural factors.
Addressing issues such aseconomic strain, lack of access
(25:13):
to mental health services,social isolation, divorce and
cultural polarization requires acomprehensive strategy that
includes not only individual andfamily support, but also
wide-ranging changes atcommunity and policy levels.
Prioritizing mental health isessential for fostering
(25:33):
resilience, enhancing quality oflife and building stronger,
more connected communities.
Your good health begins withyou taking daily steps to
improve your mental and physicalhealth.
It's also crucial to rememberthat good mental health is not
just an individual concern.
It's a collectiveresponsibility that, when
(25:54):
addressed, can lead to athriving society for all.
If you're getting value fromthis content, leave us a review
wherever you get your podcaststo make it easier for others to
find us.
Until next time, friends, I'myour host, antoinette Lee, the
wellness warrior, here at theNew Normal Big Life podcast.
I hope one day to see you onthe river in the backcountry or
the horse barn living your bestlife.
(26:16):
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Crushed by cash, cut off alone.
Five silent killers money woes,no help, divorce, division,
isolation are shredding Americanfamilies' minds.
Research screams it Despair iswinning.
Hopelessness is spiking.
Stick with me.
This is America's mental healthmeltdown and I've got your
(00:23):
shield.
We're exposing the epidemic andarming you against deaths of
despair Heads up.
This episode dives into mentalhealth struggles that might hit
close to home or feel heavy forsome.
Take care of yourself, skip orpause if you need.
First up, let's unpack howthese five traps sneak in and
(00:43):
the one move that could saveyour sanity.
Hi friends, welcome to the NewNormal Big Life podcast.
We bring you natural news andstories about nature that we
hope will inspire you to getoutside and adventure, along
with a step-by-step plan to helpyou practice what you've
learned and create your own newnormal and live the biggest life
you can dream.
I'm your host, antoinette Lee,the wellness warrior.
(01:05):
Despair stalks, strike back now.
Here's armor for your mind.
Let's talk about America's topfive mental health challenges,
beginning with the lingeringeconomic strain.
The middle class is shrinkingfast.
Financial stress, from job loss, underemployment or living
paycheck to paycheck, can leadto anxiety, depression and
(01:29):
tension between partners andfamilies.
For instance, a familystruggling to pay for
necessities like food andhousing due to a job loss or
underemployment can experiencemore anxiety and depression.
The growing economicinequalities through the ever
shrinking middle class, wherehome ownership and affording the
(01:49):
things that make life enjoyable, makes those issues worse by
limiting access to resourcesthat could reduce mental health
problems.
Surveys like the KFFCNN MentalHealth in America survey
indicate that economic hardshipis a significant stressor, with
many families struggling withbasic needs, which, in turn,
(02:11):
affects mental health outcomes.
Here are some healthy economicstrategies that you can start
today.
Listen, I'm not financiallylucky, I'm financially strategic
.
Financially lucky, I'mfinancially strategic and these
are strategies that they've keptme and my household financially
stable, no matter what happensin the economy.
(02:33):
First, go on a spending diet.
I spent 12 months not spendinganything that wasn't a basic
necessity.
That means I bought food andpaid for health and wellness
care and basic living expenses.
I didn't buy anything for 12months.
When I met my financial goals,I maintained an easily
affordable lifestyle.
(02:54):
You can do this by pretendingyou earn 50 to 75 percent less
than you actually earn.
This strategy keeps you fromliving paycheck to paycheck and
you'll have more money forsavings and debt reduction.
You might be asking yourselfhow do I pay down debt and build
savings when there's nothingleft over after paying bills?
(03:14):
I took on a part-time job inretail, in addition to my work
as a writer and businessconsultant in the gig economy,
and I used 100% of the moneyearned from my part-time job to
pay off debt and save to buy ahouse and a new outdoor vehicle,
while on my spending diet.
I quit social media for 12months.
(03:35):
I avoided social media.
Not seeing others post aboutthe happiest and most fun parts
of their lives removed my fearof missing out and feelings like
everyone's life is better thanmine.
Those people might have hadmore things, more material
possessions, but I had more funand I was sacrificing today for
(03:56):
a better future.
I prioritized camping, kayaking, hiking, climbing, archery and
learning new skills for worklike AI prompt engineering.
It was important to me tocelebrate my progress at every
step.
I celebrated the little things.
Checking off accomplishments onmy vision board and watching
balances on my accounts owed godown and savings increase were
(04:21):
causes for celebration, but Ididn't spend money to celebrate.
I played one of my favoritesongs and danced while
celebrating my awesomeness.
Except for a new cabin in thewoods on a few acres and a new
dream outdoor vehicle, I'll bedebt-free by fall 2025.
The discipline it took to reachthis goal was easier than I
(04:43):
thought.
I redirected time spent onexpensive outings like Mimosa
Sundays with friends toward lowcost and free outdoor adventures
.
While my friends blew hundredsof dollars each week on outfits,
shoes, food and drinks, I wasactive and social with friends
and nature.
These are all healthy habitsthat we'll talk about in future
(05:08):
podcasts, so follow andsubscribe To do the things I've
done to create lifelongfinancial security for myself
wouldn't have been possible if Ididn't work on my head game,
but for many, the lack of accessto mental health services
leaves them struggling tosurvive and unable to thrive.
Even when families recognize theneed for mental health support,
(05:31):
barriers such as cost stigma ora lack of available providers
can prevent them from gettinghelp.
And when it comes to masculinemen and boys, the fear of their
character being labeled as toxicmasculinity is keeping them
from seeking mental health inthe current climate, which
demonizes their character typethe masculine male.
(05:53):
You can learn more about thetoxic nature of toxic
masculinity as a label and whatto do about it in our podcast
episode on this topic.
In addition, the AmericanPsychiatric Association
classifies substance usedisorders under psychiatric
conditions, further affirmingthe link between drug addiction
(06:14):
and mental health.
Recognizing addiction as amental health challenge is
crucial for developing effectivetreatment strategies that
address the whole person, notjust the symptoms of substance
abuse.
Studies show that a substantialnumber of Americans feel that
mental health and drug treatmentservices are not accessible,
(06:37):
with issues like long wait times, inadequate insurance coverage
and a shortage of mental healthprofessionals.
But there's also this lack oftrust among the general public
and healthcare providers.
Before we cover the next topicin this episode, I want to
introduce you to the AdventureSports Lifestyle with what I
(06:58):
call a micro story about anadventure that I've had.
The Adventure Sports Liflifestyle and my deep connection
to nature is essential to mygood health.
So here's the story.
Some people stand at theriver's edge on property they
own and wonder what it's likedown river.
I get in my kayak, read theriver and go experience what
it's like down river for myself.
(07:19):
I hope this inspires you to getoutside and adventure alone
with friends or the people youlove most.
Now back to the show, wherewe're discussing the impact of
social isolation and lonelinesson our mental health.
The erosion of community bonds,increased reliance on digital
communication and the breakdownof the traditional family
(07:40):
structures contribute towidespread loneliness, linked to
depression and other mentalhealth disorders.
Since the 2020 COVID lockdowns,families stopped gatherings
like Sunday dinners, backyardbarbecues and going out with
friends, even after the stay athome orders were lifted.
This strategic socialdistancing that had nothing to
(08:00):
do with stopping the spread ofviruses, because there's no
scientific proof that standingor sitting a certain distance
away from someone can prevent acough or sneeze virus from
landing on you.
However, what it successfullyaccomplished is that humans are
out of practice at being inface-to-face contact with other
(08:21):
humans.
Out of practice at being inface-to-face contact with other
humans.
If you haven't caught ourepisode on the virtual signaling
psychological operation, makesure you catch that, because
this episode will make a lotmore sense to you.
So why?
Why has this happened?
Because the plan is to have usall live, work and play in
(08:45):
controlled 15-minute citieswhere your movement and freedoms
, like going camping or fishingoutside of your 15-minute zone,
will be limited, if notprohibited, in the future, all
in a so-called attempt toprotect the environment.
But our ancestors were inconstant contact with the
natural world.
They were the stewards of theland and waterways where they
(09:09):
lived and nature thrived andsupported life before the mass
production of food.
This social distancing plan of2020 was a test to see how
compliant you'll be when yourability to get outside and
venture or go to visit grandmais regulated through social
credit scores and travel passes.
(09:29):
Social media exchange amongordinary people report concerns
about superficial socialconnections and the loneliness
epidemic.
This loneliness epidemic refersto the widespread isolation or
feeling of isolation and lack ofmeaningful social connections,
(09:49):
particularly among younger andolder demographics.
Additionally, research pointsto loneliness as a significant
factor in the mental healthcrisis.
Although I personally have adiagnosis of anxiety and major
depression, my symptoms are wellmanaged without medication.
You can listen to the NutrientConnection Supplements
(10:10):
Transforming Mental Healthepisode of our podcast to learn
which vitamins and mineralssupport mental health.
We include a downloadable listin the show description that you
can discuss with your healthcare team.
My natural health regimen hasmade me happy, confident and
(10:30):
adventurous.
Here's how I went from notleaving my home out of fear for
18 months to living a big andadventurous life.
First, remove all toxins fromyour life.
I cleaned up the toxicchemicals in my food, water and
health and beauty products.
Next, I adopted a Mediterraneanstyle diet and quality vitamins
, minerals and micronutrients,focusing on cell recovery,
(10:53):
detoxification,anti-inflammatory and cellular
energy.
There are episodes on thispodcast that cover how to do all
of these things.
I ended all toxic relationshipswith friends and family and
avoided distressing content inmovies and social media.
Remember you need to getoutside and adventure for your
(11:17):
mental and physical health.
I adopted a daily exerciseroutine, no matter the weather
or how I felt.
Even when I could barely movefrom the pain related to my
broken back or lupus-likeautoimmune disease, I still did
something, even if it was justfive minutes of yoga or
(11:38):
stretching.
Yet at the heart of thislifestyle was getting together
outdoors with others two tothree times a week for hiking,
fishing, kayaking and camping,for example.
But we can't cover this topicwithout talking about divorce
and family disruption and itsimpact on the mental health of
everyone involved.
Divorce can lead to emotionalturmoil for both parents and
(12:03):
children, contributing toincreased stress, depression and
behavioral issues in children.
It can also disrupt familysupport systems, financial
disruption and that are criticalfor good mental health.
The impact of divorce andfamily dysfunction on mental
health, highlighting how thesechanges can destabilize family
(12:29):
life and mental well-being is atopic of great discussion on
social media.
However, post-covid lockdowndivorce rates are similar to
rates before the lockdown.
There's never a good reason tostay in an unhealthy marriage,
so I'm not suggesting thatpeople stay together, no matter
the physical and emotional costsor dangers.
My best advice for establishingor re-establishing healthy
relationships is to surroundyourself with people with
(12:52):
similar philosophies andlifestyles.
Be your authentic self and bethe family, friend or partner
that you want others to be inyour life.
Most people expect others to begood to them and then, in
return, they'll be good to thatperson, but I treat my friends
and family the way they want tobe treated, because the way I
(13:14):
want to be treated might not behow my family or friend wants to
be treated, and they do thesame with me.
Following this model has helpedme build the best relationships
ever.
Yet the cultural and politicalpolarization has divided friends
, family and communities.
The divisiveness around issueslike politics, race, gender
(13:38):
identity, immigration and healthpolicies, like those regarding
vaccines, can create riftswithin families, leading to
stress, alienation and mentalhealth challenges.
Since 2020, the impact ofdivisive issues has left
families feeling the strain ofdiffering opinions, which can
(13:58):
lead to family conflict andemotional distress.
These five problems areinterconnected, often
compounding each other to createa complex mental health
landscape for American families.
Addressing these would requirea multifaceted approach,
including policy changes,community support systems and
individual coping strategies,and it seems most Americans have
(14:22):
lost their ability to cope witheven the smallest of challenges
.
Since 2020, cultural shiftshave happened at lightning speed
.
It's been a lot to learn,unlearn and adapt to.
My philosophy is simple we canagree to disagree, and I don't
have to stop liking you becauseyou see things differently.
(14:42):
Even if we disagree on socialand political issues, I can
still appreciate your goodcharacter and other important
qualities about you, if you havethem, because good mental
health matters to all of us.
Good mental health is essentialfor a high quality of life,
influencing our emotional,cognitive and social functioning
(15:05):
.
It directly relates to physicalhealth, reducing the risk of
chronic diseases and enhancingimmune function.
Mental well-being boostsproductivity, problem-solving
capabilities and resilience inprofessional and academic
environments, and resilience inprofessional and academic
environments.
It also enriches socialinteractions, fostering deeper
(15:30):
connections and effectivecommunication, supporting
personal fulfillment andachievement.
Economically, mental healthimpacts productivity and
healthcare costs, while sociallycontributing to a more engaged,
cohesive community.
After this break, we'll godeeper into the complexities of
mental health and learn aboutsome solutions to America's
mental health problem.
As we go deeper into thecomplexities of mental health,
(15:52):
it's increasingly clear that onerecurring issue an epidemic of
loneliness plays a critical rolein making these concerns worse.
Loneliness is a contributingfactor to despair and related
deaths.
Recent surveys indicate between2017 and 2019, so many
Generation Z youth andmillennial adults lost their
(16:14):
lives to deaths of despair thatUS life expectancy decreased for
the first time in 100 years.
That US life expectancydecreased for the first time in
100 years.
In addition, according to theCDC, one in five millennials
report having no friends, 56% ofGen Zers report loneliness in
the past 12 months and 5% ofseniors are depressed.
(16:35):
According to the Institute forFamily Studies, over the past
five years at our annualadventure camp with the American
Adventure Sports Club that Ifounded and operate with my
co-founder, the kids ages 6 to16 reported some disturbing
trends.
These are all direct quotesfrom kids over the years.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
What kids told their camp counselors.
I don't know what people'sfaces are telling me.
I don't want to talk about mypronouns, can't I just be a kid
and forget about that stuff?
My teacher wants me to act likea girl and I don't want to
because I'm a boy.
My mother got the COVID vaccineand she's always sick.
(17:16):
Now Is she gonna be okay?
I don't remember what it's liketo play with other kids.
I'm glad I'm at camp becauselast week I was thinking about
different ways to kill myself,but I don't want to do that
anymore.
Speaker 1 (17:32):
After four days at camp, parents reported a
noticeable improvement in theirchild's mood behavior and school
performance.
In their child's mood behaviorand school performance, we
emphasize teaching kids outdoorskills like archery, kayaking
and paddleboarding through achallenge-by-choice model and
group therapy sessions duringcampfire talks.
Try this with your kids.
The speed of social change hada traumatic impact on our
(17:55):
nation's children.
Loneliness peaks among youngadults 18 to 24 and seniors over
65, with different causes.
For the young, social media andtransient lifestyles play roles
.
For older adults, it's oftendue to the loss of social
networks through retirement orgrief.
The US tends to have higherloneliness rates than many
(18:17):
European countries, where socialnetworks and community
structures are stronger.
Dr Nicholas Kardaris, amongothers, has linked the rise in
depression to the widespread useof technology and social media,
suggesting that these tools,while connecting us globally,
often lead to superficialinteractions and a lack of deep,
(18:37):
meaningful relationships.
So here's what you need to knowto understand the deaths of
despair.
The term deaths of despair wascreated by economists Anne Case
and Angus Deaton to describe aspecific trend in death rates
observed in the United States.
This phrase first appeared intheir influential 2015 study,
(19:00):
where they noted an alarmingincrease in death rates among
middle-aged non-Hispanic whiteAmericans, particularly those
without a college degree.
These deaths were mainly due tosuicide, drug overdose,
especially from opioids, andalcohol-related liver disease,
which together they term deathsof despair.
(19:21):
The concept suggests that thesedeaths indicate broader
societal issues, includingeconomic distress, social
isolation and the lack ofpurpose or hope.
Don't sleep on how important itis to have something you're
passionate about, that makes youfeel good, useful and a part of
something bigger than yourself.
(19:42):
Data from various studies showthat since the late 1990s,
there's been a visible increasein deaths of despair Deaths from
suicide, drug overdose andalcohol-related deaths.
In the US.
From 1999 to 2017, suiciderates among middle-aged white
Americans saw a significant rise, with rates for those with a
(20:05):
high school education or lessbeing exceptionally higher.
The opioid crisis hascontributed dramatically to
deaths of despair, with drugoverdoses doubling from the
early 2000s to 2017, hitting apeak not seen since data
recording began.
Alcoholic liver disease andalcohol-related accidents
(20:29):
resulting in deaths alsoincrease, particularly among
less educated people, who mightalso have fewer resources and
access to prevention andtreatment programs.
The rise in crime and drug useconnected to unchecked illegal
immigration, allowing othernations to send their mentally
unstable and criminally mindedcitizens across US and other
(20:51):
western borders is connected tothese challenges.
Creating specific strategiesand resources that can help your
family improve their mentalhealth and foster resilience in
the face of hard times isessential.
Here's what we've learned fromother countries with less mental
health problems, who also livelonger and healthier lives.
(21:13):
European countries generallyhave more comprehensive social
safety nets and distinctcommunity structures compared to
the United States.
Here are some of the keydifferences Europe has universal
health care funded by taxes,providing access without
financial ruin.
However, denial of service andlong wait times are a frequent
(21:34):
complaint in Europe and Canada.
Generous and longerunemployment benefits, like
Germany's up to 24 months.
Europe has extensive parentalleave and subsidized child care,
exemplified by Sweden's 480days.
They have highly subsidized orfree higher education.
(21:55):
Reducing student debt.
Pension systems aimed atmaintaining a near working life
standard of living is whatyou'll see in many European
countries and a focus onaffordable housing, including
price control, rent, tiny homesand RV living.
However, europe is starting towell has advanced economic
(22:20):
challenges due to itsimmigration crisis increases
that are negatively impactingEuropean citizens' access to the
systems that once made mentalhealth less of a problem within
Europe.
(22:40):
European community structuresalso emphasize strong local
governance and social cohesion,although that's changing rapidly
.
They, in the past, havefostered a collective approach
to societal issues, in contrastto the US's reliance on private
insurance, limited unemploymentsupport, lack of federal paid
(23:01):
leave, high education costs,less generous pensions and fewer
housing options, reflectinghistorical, cultural and
political differences thatimpact outcomes in poverty,
health and social mobility.
However, americans want to helppeople more Still.
There are some big problems,like the dollar isn't worth as
(23:22):
much, our high national debt,the amount of money that we've
spent on illegal immigration,the struggling economy and many
folks thinking that governmentis too involved in their lives
already.
America would not thrive undera similar system like you see in
Europe, but here's how we couldstill make things better.
(23:45):
Let's examine blue zones,longevity and happiness.
Blue zones are regions wherepeople live significantly longer
than average.
These include places likeOkinawa, japan, sardinia, italy,
ikaria, greece, nicoya, costaRica and Loma Linda, california,
usa.
In these areas, how long youlive is linked to social
(24:09):
engagement through strongcommunity and family ties,
having a clear sense of purposein your daily life, adopting a
healthy lifestyle, like theadventure sports lifestyle that
I practice, eating natural,unprocessed foods, drinking
plenty of clean water half yourbody weights in ounces per day
at a minimum.
Water, half your body weightsin ounces per day at a minimum,
(24:29):
avoiding toxic chemicals,getting daily physical activity,
spending time in nature, closerelationships with friends and
family and natural stressrelievers like social
interactions during meals filledwith laughter and space for you
to be your authentic self.
The happiness and health inblue zones are often due to
(24:51):
these cultural practices thatpromote well-being and a sense
of community members helping andsupporting each other.
Now, that is something thatwould do very well in America.
The mental health challengesfaced by American families are
deeply intertwined with economic, social and cultural factors.
Addressing issues such aseconomic strain, lack of access
(25:13):
to mental health services,social isolation, divorce and
cultural polarization requires acomprehensive strategy that
includes not only individual andfamily support, but also
wide-ranging changes atcommunity and policy levels.
Prioritizing mental health isessential for fostering
(25:33):
resilience, enhancing quality oflife and building stronger,
more connected communities.
Your good health begins withyou taking daily steps to
improve your mental and physicalhealth.
It's also crucial to rememberthat good mental health is not
just an individual concern.
It's a collectiveresponsibility that, when
(25:54):
addressed, can lead to athriving society for all.
If you're getting value fromthis content, leave us a review
wherever you get your podcaststo make it easier for others to
find us.
Until next time, friends, I'myour host, antoinette Lee, the
wellness warrior, here at theNew Normal Big Life podcast.
I hope one day to see you onthe river in the backcountry or
the horse barn living your bestlife.
(26:16):
Tag New Normal Big Life and NBLblog on X, so we can celebrate
your good health and big life.
If you're a visual learner, youcan watch an informative and
entertaining version of thisvideo on YouTube coming soon on
the new normal big life channel.
Share this episode with someonewho needs it.
Comment on our posts and dropus a message or email.
(26:36):
Nothing personal or toospecific.
When you have a health oradventure sports topic, you want
us to cover and support othersin this community.
Since 2012, the Health Rangerstore has been answering your
calls for a trustworthy,responsive and affordable source
of health-focused products.
Built from scratch, with itsown US-based fulfillment center
(26:56):
and dedicated in-house customersupport, they've got you covered
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They offer competitive priceson top-quality no-transcript.
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