Loneliness is on the rise, but it is possible to build authentic social connections - even as we're physically apart. All human beings have a genetic need to be socially connected, and we benefit from all types of social connections, from informal to formal. Social connections can fall on a wide spectrum, from a simple smile with a stranger at a grocery store to a hug from a relative or close friend. But all social connections, from slight to intimate, help us feel connected to others and are good for mental health. If you want to bake a cake, you require specific ingredients. If you want to bake happiness into your life, you need strong and healthy social connections. Dr. Bill Howatt, a renowned mental health expert and addictions counsellor, offers a step-by-step workbook to help readers move away from isolation and loneliness, and build authentic connections. Dr. Howatt offers opportunities for reflective check-ins, insight on the benefits of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, and recommendations for practice, as well as a road map for discovering and building authentic connections. He shows you how to unlock your mental trap - negative thoughts, like insomnia, anxiety, and depression, that limit your ability to close social connections gaps. He shows that it's possible to become who you want to be. The first step is deciding who you want to be, and then forming the connections that can get you there. About the Author: Dr. Bill Howatt is the President of Howatt HR and is also currently the Chief of Research, Workforce Productivity at The Conference Board of Canada. He has over 25 years' experience in strategic HR, mental health and addictions, and leadership. William is co-creator of The Globe and Mail Your Life at Work Initiative that touched more than 14,000 Canadians. He has published numerous books and articles, and is a columnist with The Globe and Mail . He holds a Ph.D., Ed.D., Post Doctorate in Behavioral Science. |
