CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains swearing and themes of an adult nature.

Having written a book about the importance of connections, Johann Hari was the obvious choice to help me shed light on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting this key human need. In this podcast, his work on how loneliness affects depression and anxiety provides insight, understanding and practical solutions to help us through.

We start by talking about what Johann says is the biggest cause of emotional difficulties – financial insecurity. Of course, things are moving fast and since this podcast was recorded, the UK government has announced support for the self-employed, too. But people are understandably worried how they’ll cope until help filters through. A YouGov survey suggests many are already borrowing money only one week into the current UK lockdown. Johann believes that asking our political representatives to address this is a vital way to feel connected, value our key workers and safeguard our mental health.

We also discuss how shared experience and meaning can be a way out of loneliness. Johann gives some extraordinary examples of people who’ve managed to find meaning and affect positive change in the face of huge adversity. We’re all familiar with post-traumatic stress, but there’s emerging evidence that more people actually experience growth as a result of trauma. They re-evaluate, reset their values, life in many ways gets better for them. Could this be the way we all move through – and beyond – this global crisis? It’s a lot to get your head around, but it’s a powerful message to hear. Take care, stay safe and be kind.

Disclaimer: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*

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Find out more about Johann:

Website    Facebook   Instagram    Twitter

Johann’s books:

• Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope†
• Chasing the Scream: The Search for the Truth About Addiction†

Further learning:

• More about John Cacioppo.
• Huffpost – A Canadian City Once Eliminated Poverty And Nearly Everyone Forgot About It
• ResearchGate – The Town with No Poverty: The Health Effects of a Canadian Guaranteed Annual Income Field Experiment
• The Guardian – The scene belonged to a disaster movie, not a family holiday’: the day my partner drowned
• Likkle swimmers
• Annual Review of Psychology – Materialistic Values and Goals
• More about James Pennebaker‘s work at the University of Texas at Austin.
• A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster by Rebecca Solnit
• On Fire: The Burning Case for a Green New Deal by Naomi Klein

Dr Chatterjee’s resources:

• Podcast #94 – Is Everything You Know About Depression Wrong? With Johann Hari
• Find Dr Chatterjee’s 4 Pillar of Health in The 4 Pillar Plan†
• Available in the US & Canada with the title How to Make Disease Disappear†
• Order Dr Chatterjee’s book The Stress Solution†
• Dr Chatterjee’s NEW book Feel Better in 5† is out now
• Click here for Dr Chatterjee’s YouTube channel
• Facebook Dr Chatterjee 4 Pillar Community Tribe

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*DISCLAIMER: Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

† Disclosure: All books marked with a † are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. We take part in Amazon’s affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon’s website. You are not charged any extra by using these links to purchase books.