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The Art and Science of Connection

Why Social Health Is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

A groundbreaking redefinition of what it means to be healthy that introduces the need for social health—the part of wellbeing that comes from feeling connected—to truly flourish.

Exercise. Eat a balanced diet. Go to therapy. Most wellness advice is focused on achieving and maintaining good physical and mental health. But Harvard-trained social scientist and pioneering social health expert Kasley Killam reveals that this approach is missing a vital component: human connection.

Relationships not only make us happier, but also are critical to our overall health and longevity. Research shows that people with a strong sense of belonging are 2.6 times more likely to report good or excellent health. Perhaps even more astonishingly, people who lack social support are up to 53% more likely to die from any cause. Yet social health has been overlooked and underappreciated—until now.

Just as we exercise our physical muscles, we can strengthen our social muscles. Weaving together cutting-edge science, mindset shifts, and practical wisdom, Killam offers the first methodology for how to be socially healthy. An antidote to the loneliness epidemic and an inspiring manifesto for seeing wellbeing as not only physical and mental, but also social, The Art and Science of Connection is a handbook for thriving.

In this essential book, you will:

  • Learn a simple yet powerful framework to understand, evaluate, and bolster your social health.
  • Discover the exact strategy or habit you need, as well as research-backed tips, to cultivate and sustain meaningful connection now and throughout your life.
  • Glean actionable insights to develop a sense of community in your neighborhood, at work, and online from a spirited group of neighbors in Paris, the CEO of a major healthcare company, and an artificially intelligent chatbot.
  • Get an insider look at the innovative ways that doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, architects, government leaders, and everyday people are catalyzing a movement toward a more socially healthy society.

  • The Art and Science of Connection will transform the way you think about each interaction with a friend, family member, coworker, or neighbor, and give you the tools you need to live a more connected and healthy life—whether you are an introvert or extrovert, if you feel stretched thin, and no matter your age or background. Along the way, Killam will reveal how a university student, a newlywed, a working professional, and a retired widow overcame challenges to thrive through connection—and how you can, too.

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    • Reviews

      • Booklist

        May 15, 2024
        There are plenty of studies telling you how to be physically and mentally healthy. But the missing pillar, according to Killam, is social health. Building relationships with family, friends, coworkers, and community, she finds, is the remedy for the loneliness and isolation that are plaguing our world. A basic standard is 5-3-1, i.e., connect with five different people each week; maintain at least three close relationships; spend one hour each day in social interaction. The trick is determining one's "social health style""--butterfly (frequent, casual connection), wallflower (infrequent, casual connection), firefly (infrequent, deep connection), evergreen (frequent, deep connection). That will determine how individuals should go about expanding their relationships. Killam shares a number of stories and offers a wealth of ideas on how to make and deepen connections. Community and beyond are also important factors, and Killam details some national and international movements striving to encourage social health. Social media and AI are included, but the author favors face-to-face communication. Upbeat and informative, this book will spark an interest in building and strengthening vital relationships.

        COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

      • Publisher's Weekly

        May 13, 2024
        Social health, or “the aspect of overall... wellbeing that comes from connection,” is on the decline and society is suffering for it, argues social scientist Killam in her earnest debut. She contends that social health directly affects physical and mental health, citing studies suggesting that “lack of connection” increases the risk of stroke, dementia, and early death, while good relationships help people stay happier and live longer. Readers can assess their social fitness by mapping out their relationships with friends, family, and partners; analyzing the quality of each based on its depth and mutuality; and adopting different strategies depending on the results. For example, those looking to establish new connections can download a friend-finding app or join a hobby group, while those seeking to improve the quality of an existing relationship might consider sharing a personal struggle with a friend and asking for advice. While such suggestions feel rote, Killam buttresses them with research, including a 2020 study revealing that being socially isolated activated the same part of the brain that lights up when people go hungry (“Loneliness is like hunger: a message from your body to your brain that it needs something that it’s not getting”). Even wallflowers will be motivated to strike up new friendships.

    Formats

    • Kindle Book
    • OverDrive Read
    • EPUB ebook

    Languages

    • English

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