
The 5 AM Miracle: Healthy Productivity for High Achievers Breaking the News Cycle, Deleting Social Apps, and Restoring Your Mental Health [BEST OF]
Dec 18, 2025
Explore the addictive link between news and social media as Jeff Sanders shares his journey to mental clarity. He challenges the traditional notion of being an 'informed citizen' through mindless media consumption. Discover practical tactics for detaching from constant digital checking, including deleting apps and utilizing faux engagement strategies. Jeff highlights the liberating experience of disconnect, recounting his adventure in Yellowstone. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to evaluate their habits and make intentional choices for better mental health.
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News As Mostly Entertainment
- Jeff Sanders observes that most news and social media serve as entertainment rather than actionable information.
- He argues true, useful alerts (like severe weather) are rare compared to constant mindless updates.
Being 'Informed' Is Mostly Surface-Level
- Jeff Sanders challenges the myth of being a meaningfully "informed citizen" via constant news hits.
- He says meaningful knowledge requires depth, not five-second clips or endless scrolling.
Dopamine Loop Drives Mindless Checking
- We often check phones for fleeting dopamine, not because we enjoy the content.
- Sanders compares the behavior to slot machines and urges aligning expectations to reality.
