Together

The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World

By: Vivek H. Murthy

Narrated by: Vivek H. Murthy

The book we need now to avoid a social recession, Murthy’s prescient message is about the importance of human connection, the hidden impact of loneliness on our health, and the social power of community.

Humans are social creatures: In this simple and obvious fact lies both the problem and the solution to the current crisis of loneliness. In his groundbreaking audiobook, the 19th surgeon general of the United States Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a case for loneliness as a public health concern: a root cause and contributor to many of the epidemics sweeping the world today from alcohol and drug addiction to violence to depression and anxiety. Loneliness, he argues, is affecting not only our health, but also how our children experience school, how we perform in the workplace, and the sense of division and polarization in our society.

But, at the center of our loneliness is our innate desire to connect. We have evolved to participate in community, to forge lasting bonds with others, to help one another, and to share life experiences. We are, simply, better together.

The lessons in Together have immediate relevance and application. These four key strategies will help us not only to weather this crisis, but also to heal our social world far into the future.

Spend time each day with those you love. Devote at least 15 minutes each day to connecting with those you most care about.

Focus on each other. Forget about multitasking and give the other person the gift of your full attention, making eye contact, if possible, and genuinely listening.

Embrace solitude. The first step toward building stronger connections with others is to build a stronger connection with oneself. Meditation, prayer, art, music, and time spent outdoors can all be sources of solitary comfort and joy.

Help and be helped. Service is a form of human connection that reminds us of our value and purpose in life. Checking on a neighbor, seeking advice, even just offering a smile to a stranger six feet away, all can make us stronger.

During Murthy’s tenure as Surgeon General and during the research for Together, he found that there were few issues that elicited as much enthusiastic interest from both very conservative and very liberal members of Congress, from young and old people, or from urban and rural residents alike. Loneliness was something so many people have known themselves or have seen in the people around them. In the book, Murthy also shares his own deeply personal experiences with the subject - from struggling with loneliness in school, to the devastating loss of his uncle who succumbed to his own loneliness, as well as the important example of community and connection that his parents modeled. Simply, it’s a universal condition that affects all of us directly or through the people we love — now more than ever.

©2020 Vivek Murthy (P)2020 HarperAudio

This was a wonderful surprise!

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was like having a thoughtful conversation with a friend.

Great insight.

The author/researcher did an excellent job of intertwining the research around loneliness with personal stories.

Relatable

Loved this book and the message. Easy listen I had to slow down so it would last longer.
Really made me think about so many subjects.
This book made me want to reach out to others,.

Keep some tissues close.

A lifetime of feeling unable to truly connect with others is complied and expressed in the pages of this book. Truly grateful to the team that gave us this masterpiece. I'll be buying and sharing with others.

An appreciation

Vivek, thank you for writing this book. I read it during a pandemic and shortly after my mother had passed. While my father is disabled and living alone. Some of the stories hit close to home and were hard, but necessary to hear. Some parts brought language and clarity to unconscious truths, that I intuitively understand, but couldn’t have articulated myself. And some served as simple reminders to treat others with kindness, especially now. The mix of personal stories and science helped me better understand many of my peers, and reflect on my own experiences. This book is an excellent reminder of the human need for connection and community, and how to build healthy relationships to cultivate that community over time.

Must Read!

This is an important book. It provides touching stories and thoughtful analysis, with practical, easy solutions. It’s great that Dr. Murthy can continue his work on this important subject in the Biden administration. I highly recommend it.

Timely

This is a wonderful listen and I have shared much of this material with clients, family, and friends.

Worth listening more than once

The subject is explored for all ages and personalities in a nonjudgmental way to encourage a healthier and happier life.

A beautiful justification for being together

A collection of research and common sense (that is sadly uncommon) to help us find our way to the sometimes messy but necessary act of being together.

Fantastic Insight!

I just loved the story, your outlook, the tone & the entire message! Thanks for sharing!