to bring us together , including recreation leagues , service organizations and faith groups .
Technology , with all its advantages , has exacerbated the issue . Social media for many young people , he asserts , “ has changed the nature and quality of their relationships , often in a negative way . They see people constantly doing things without them , and the quality of friendships has been replaced in importance by the quantity of friendships , even though that is not what ultimately drives our health and fulfillment .”
Pickleball : More Than Just a Game
Dr . Murthy was first introduced to pickleball while visiting his in-laws last year in California . He went to the YMCA where he frequently shoots hoops . That ’ s when he saw a lot of people playing pickleball — a sport he had heard about and was fascinated by . While watching the excitement , one of the players invited him to join them .
“ I was so grateful for the opportunity ,” he recalls . “ I came to realize it ’ s a very social game . They taught me the rules , the lines and where you have to serve , and I loved it .”
The experience took him back to fond memories of his younger days when he actively pursued various racquet sports including tennis , badminton , and table tennis . “ Despite their differences , tennis and pickleball are both a mix of power and finesse ,” Dr . Murthy says . “ As a tennis player , I ’ ve really enjoyed learning pickleball . Many of the skills are transferable , but there are plenty of new elements to learn that keep it exciting and fun .”
He also introduced the sport to his two children , ages 5 and 7 . “ They absolutely loved it ,” he notes . “ I ’ m excited for us to play more in 2024 .”
Pickleball ’ s Impact on Mental Health
The connection between physical activity and mental health is well-established . Dr . Murthy points out that being physically active not only helps reduce the risk of chronic disease but also has a profound effect on mental health : “ Pickleball and other sports boost your mood and have a powerful effect on how you feel . It ’ s time for us to recognize that social disconnection is a public health threat that ’ s as important as smoking and obesity , and one that we have to take seriously .”
The issue was exacerbated by the global pandemic , he adds , particularly for young people . The closure of schools and the inability to see family and friends all contributed to the problem . “ Young people experienced that disruption at a very sensitive time in their social development ,” he explains . “ Many of them are still struggling to get back to the place where they are comfortable interacting with each other .”
The 5-for-5 Challenge : A Simple Solution
To address the complex issue of loneliness , Dr . Murthy has introduced a straightforward yet powerful initiative — the 5-for-5 Challenge , which encourages individuals to commit to connecting with others by taking one action a day for five days . This could include calling a family member , asking a friend for help or volunteering at a local event . Dr . Murthy believes that in as little as 60 seconds a day , individuals can foster meaningful connections in their lives .
“ When people are feeling lonely , they may think they have to completely transform their lives in order to deal with loneliness , but the truth is it ’ s actually small steps that make a big difference in how connected we feel .”
The 5-for-5 Challenge maintains that online and offline connections are not equivalent . Dr . Murthy advocates for the power of in-person interactions , emphasizing that “ face-to-face is a much more effective way of building connection than solely being online with someone .” •
Laura Gainor is a contributor to Pickleball Magazine and leads its social media outreach through her pickleball marketing agency , Vossberg Gainor . She is the founder of Pickleball in the Sun , a lifestyle brand and experiential agency . Her family lives in Ponte Vedra , Florida .
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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2024 | MAGAZINE 31