Kate Murphy

Because our brains are metabolically expensive, they're only 2% of our body weight, but consume 20% of the calories.

And just like we tend to be lazy physically, we like to conserve our energy intellectually, cognitively, that when you're around a lot of people doing the same thing you are, it kind of puts us in a happy place.

We relax because we don't need to predict what people are going to do next.

Your brain is a prediction machine.

And when we don't have to predict, because when we're in sync, what are they going to do?

The same thing you're doing.

So there's something about synchronized behavior.

And when you're talking about dating, you're thinking about what to do on a date.

Of course, dancing has been a part of the courtship ritual for forever for good reason, because that's something that actually fosters this feeling of connection.

But it could also be going for a walk with somebody.

going for a run, rowing.

And if you want to connect with other people, try and think of things like that.

Even volunteering, maybe at a food pantry where you're boxing things or putting cans on a shelf at the same time, these synchronized activities.

Even housework with your spouse, if you're doing it together at the same time, is thought to make for a happier marriage.

There's been some research on that too.

But yes, that was the only thing I can think of that we didn't cover.

Actually, a lot of Eastern companies, I mean, we all know about doing the calisthenics or maybe we don't, but in Japan and China, a lot of companies have exercise programs where people do like just maybe 15 minutes and some it's only four minutes of stretching.

or doing a light exercise in the morning.

You could also crank up some music in the afternoon where everybody's hearing the same beat in the afternoon, which people just unconsciously start to tap their foot at the same time.

That'll sort of get you in sync.