In this episode, we're working on our element Hope... and resilience as well! We're still adventuring through The Roots of Resilience (laid out in one of Dr. Emmons book, The Chemistry of Calm). We're talking about the seventh and final root, "Creating Deep Connections" and how those connections are essential for our resilience and hope. And fear not, introverts. This root doesn't mean you need to to make a boatload of friends. Instead, we're looking at how connection and belonging are essential for our mental health. That means one of the most important shifts you can make is to wake up from the illusion of separation and replace it with an awareness of unity. We'll talk about practical ways to do that in this episode and why it matters so much for mental health.

Links and Sources Mentioned:

• Resilient Community Find lots of resources to support you and you'll join a crew of inspiring people who are helping to keep our Joy Lab podcast in existence!
• Joy Lab Program (step-by-step practices to help you build and maintain the elements of joy in your life)
• Joy Lab Podcast #13 (The Roots of Resilience) This episode is a broad overview of what we'll be talking about over the next 9 episodes. It's a really helpful summary!
• Joy Lab Podcast #2 (The Handle of Hope). This is a great summary for our element of Hope.
• Chemistry of Calm (Dr. Emmons' book referenced in this series)
• Dr. Lou Cozolino's website and books
• A moral act, elevation, and prosocial behavior: Moderators of morality (Thomson & Siegel study)
• The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Hope and Stress
• The role of Hope in subsequent health and well-being for older adults: An outcome-wide longitudinal approach
• On the promotion of human flourishing (VanderWeele article)
• Hopelessness and Risk of Mortality and Incidence of Myocardial Infarction and Cancer

Full transcript available at: https://www.naturalmentalhealth.com/podcasts/joy-lab-podcast/episodes/2147918584