Why connection may be the best medicine | With James Ellis Ph.D.

For years, Dr. James Ellis treated patients who were doing everything they were supposed to do, yet some still weren't getting better. The clinical psychologist noticed something important: The people who struggled most often lacked the strong social connections that others had. That realization changed the way he practiced.  In this episode of Celebrate Your Story, James and I explore why relationships are so fundamental to our physical and emotional health, why our social networks require more attention as we get older, and why men need to be more deliberate about maintaining friendships.   We also talk about one of my favorite pieces of his advice: Don't worry if you're always the one making the call or organizing dinner. A good relationship doesn't have to be perfectly reciprocal to be valuable. Sometimes being the convener is simply the role you play.  James describes relationships as the bedrock of our evolution. I'd put it more simply: We need each other. And in a world where it has become easy to live, work, shop, and entertain ourselves without interacting with others, maintaining our relationships may require more effort than ever.