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Sep 2024
1h 9m

Optimize This: If You Care About Mental ...

10% Happier
About this episode

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Up until now, in our culture, we’ve generally talked about physical health and mental health–but there’s an emerging consensus that the missing piece is social health.

But what can you actually do to improve your social health? Today we’re going deep with the scientist who has thought a lot about this, and has a ton of good advice.

Kasley Killam, MPH, is a leading expert in social health and the award-winning author of The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier. As a graduate of the Harvard 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, Forbes, NPR, Scientific American, Psychology Today, and The Washington Post

In this episode we talk about:

  • Why social health is so important, and how it impacts our physical and mental health
  • How to figure out what your social style is
  • Tips for strengthening your social muscles
  • What you can do to boost your social health muscles
  • How much vulnerability is appropriate 
  • How to have a healthy relationship with yourself
  • How legislation could help with social health
  • Emerging industries for social fitness
  • And lastly, how we can work towards creating a society that cultivates connection

Related Episodes:

Self-Compassion Ain’t Always Soft | Kristin Neff

Kryptonite for the Inner Critic | Kristin Neff

Rethinking Success | Mia Birdsong

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