A groundbreaking redefinition of health and wellbeing that emphasizes the need for social health--a sense of belonging or social connection--to achieve true wellness, braiding together new science, mindset shifts, and practical wisdom for cultivating strong relationships in our own lives. Wellness is commonly understood to be about achieving and maintaining good physical and mental health--exercising, eating a balanced diet, and taking care of our emotional needs through various methods, from meditation to therapy. But pioneering social scientist and social health expert Kasley Killam argues that this definition of wellbeing is missing a major component: social connection. Relationships not only make us happier, but they are also critical to our overall health and longevity. Research shows that people with smaller social networks are more susceptible to diabetes, and, incredibly, poor social relationships can increase your risk of developing heart disease by 29%. Conversely, people with a strong sense of belonging are 2.6 times more likely to report good or excellent health. Perhaps even more astonishingly, people with weak family ties or social contact are 11% to 53% more likely to die from any cause. The data is clear: relationships don''t just make us feel good, they help us live healthier and longer. Yet joining a book club or FaceTiming a loved one while folding laundry aren''t commonly associated with our wellbeing, in spite of research showing that these rituals can make a big impact on our health. Moreover, data and headlines alike reveal that our society is suffering from an epidemic of loneliness. In this essential book, Killam rethinks our definition of "health" to include this missing link, opening our eyes to how social health is a vital dimension of wellbeing that derives from our connections and sense of community. True wellness is a trinity--physical, mental, and social health. We cannot thrive without all three. But just like an exercise routine or mental health care, we need practices to nurture our social health. Killam provides research-backed tools, habits, and practical solutions that can be put into action, from calling friends on your commute and organizing neighborhood block parties to larger calls to action for walkable urban spaces and best practices for the workplace. The future of health is social. With wise insights and powerful new research--well-timed for a post-Covid world--Killam persuasively shows that to prioritize our social health is to prioritize our happiness, health and longevity. ...

Autorentext

Kasley Killam, MPH, is internationally recognized as a leading expert in social health. As a graduate of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, sought-after advisor and keynote speaker, and founder of Social Health Labs, Killam has been improving global well-being through connection for over a decade. Her collaborations with organizations like Google, the US Department of Health and Human Services, and the World Economic Forum contribute to building more socially healthy products, workplaces, and communities. Killam’s insights can be found in outlets such as the New York Times, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and the Washington Post.

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2025 NAUTILUS BOOK AWARDS GOLD WINNER 2024 LIVING NOW BOOK AWARDS GOLD MEDAL WINNER HARVARD PUBLIC HEALTH MAGAZINE BEST BOOK OF 2024 * ASPEN IDEAS RECOMMENDED HEALTH BOOK OF 2024

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.