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The other day, I was listening to a podcast (10% happier by Dan Harris) and I heard something that caught my attention. The Oscar effect. And what is this effect, or action? Well, it's the advantages that those who win the Academy's statuette end up having. But don't be fooled into thinking that it's only the financial advantages, the deals that come afterwards, or even the monetary value associated with the award itself.
A study carried out in 2020 and published in the PLOS One journal shows that winners of the coveted golden statuette have an average lifespan of 3 years longer than those who were only nominated for the same award.
And what differentiated the two groups? What determined that one group lived an average of 81 years, while the other only reached 76 years of longevity? Well, the psychologists figured out that it's all down to the recognition given by the award winners' peers. Recognition leads to a projection of one's life in a less stressful way.
It's well known that one of the greatest sources of stress in the human mind is the fear of negative evaluation from others... As much as we may want to do only what we like, if we don't have the approval of others, and even if we think that it doesn't affect our attitude at all, or the way we act from that point forward, it doesn't. It even ends up affecting our own perception.
It even ends up affecting our own perception. It makes us more fearful and uncertain about our own lives. This is not to underestimate the opinion or validation of others.
Man has always been a gregarious being. We live in community, and in community we thrive. Others promote sharing and helping. We are not isolated, even if we want to be.
Our goals, the way we set out to achieve them, the way we do it, and the way we are perceived in this whole process, determine our longevity and well-being. Peace of mind helps mitigate hypothalamic-pituitary stress responses. Since ancient times, our minds have been wired to ensure maximum sustenance for our home. We were hunters, and whenever we went out hunting, the simple fact of not being able to secure food for the next few days meant a real risk of succumbing to disease or starvation. This is no longer the case today. At least in so-called more developed societies. But the connections and our instinct are there. Today, we don't need to hunt to live. But if we look closely, we end up competing all the time... We want to have the best job in the company. To have the biggest house and the fastest car, to be able to buy unique and valuable pieces that give us social status.
But do we really need all that? The answer is a resounding no, obviously. But our minds are too strong for our bodies and our actions not to be affected by it.
Have you felt this effect in your day-to-day life? Have you ever felt validated or recognized by your peers?
I want to thank you for taking the time to read this.
Best regards
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