Issue #414: Channel Your Inner Nordic
Good morning. It’s Tuesday, December 24th.
Happy Holidays from Thrive25!
Keeping this one short and sweet…
In today’s email:
Focus: Channel Your Inner Nordic
Move: The Opposite of Sitting
Laugh: A Nativity Scene from Nashville
In the News: The Offline Revolution
Stat of the Day
The percentage of us that are stressed during the holidays. Don’t make it crazy - the gifts you buy will be great, the food you serve will be awesome, and the only thing people will remember will be being together. (APA)
Focus
Channel Your Inner Nordic
It’s ok to take a break this week. In fact, it’s recommended. We need to recharge and not feel guilt for what’s on our To Do list or skipping our AM workout.
“Hygge” is a Norwegian word that means “wellbeing” - coming from the word hyggja (“to think”) and hugr (“the soul, mind, consdciousness”).
Denmark has embraced the concept as a core pillar in its culture. It now translates into:
“Creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.”
What’s better than that?
The most basic example of hygge in Denmark is sitting around with friends and family discussing the big and small things in life - normally under blankets with candles lighting the room.
There’s a finite number of holidays left for all of us. Don’t miss the opportunity to make the most of this one.
And if you want to really be a Nordic this week - add a sauna session to your calendar and maybe even pair it up with a cold plunge (or a snow swim).
Move
The Opposite of Sitting
Hygge is great - but we shouldn’t stop moving all week. Over two-thirds of Americans won’t workout enough during the holidays and it can take a long time to make up for a full week of inactivity.
If you’re enjoying some down time with a bit more food and a bit more sitting than usual - here are three exercises to offset the effects of too much sitting:
Walk Backwards - creates more resistance to strengthen our legs.
Banded Pull Aparts - counter the forward roll of our upper back when we sit by using a band. Hold band in front of you, and with straight arms pull both arms out until you’re in a T-position for 20 reps.
Lunge Stretch - counter the tightness in our hips by doing a single leg lunge. Keep your front foot flat on the ground and move your knee as far forward as you can. For support, you can put your front foot on a chair or bench.
Check out all movements in this video from Knees Over Toes.
I’ll be out there for sunrise run on Thursday, Dec 26th - if you want to join virtually, just send us an email that you’re in. BONUS: Share a photo of your AM workout!
Thrive25 Partner Spotlight
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Laugh
A Nativity Scene from Nashville
We’ve been a fan of Nate Bargatze for a while now. He just did a spin off the George Washington SNL skit for his new Xmas special.
Enjoy…
H&L in the News
Gen Z's Offline Revolution: In 2025, Gen Z will lead a cultural shift toward techless human connection, rejecting digital addiction and reshaping work-life balance, consumption, and trust in a screen-saturated world. (WIRED)
Unfinished Business on El Cap: Alex Honnold returns to Yosemite’s iconic Nose route to free climb it for the first time, teaming up with stars and tackling new challenges on El Capitan (Outside). For a little more, check out our issue that highlights Free Solo.
The Cure for Health Inequality?: AI promises to transform global health, from diagnosing diseases to tailoring treatments. But can it overcome infrastructure gaps and ethical challenges to deliver on its revolutionary potential? (Big Think)
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We’re 40-something dads that felt our bodies and minds start to slow down and we’re not ready for that. We found too much information on every subject. So we started Thrive25 to transform what we’ve learned into something useful for the rest of us to spend just 3-5 min a day to optimize our health & longevity.
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To health!
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The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.