Why Lockdown Needn’t Be Psychological Quarantine with Johann Hari

CAUTION ADVISED: this podcast contains swearing and themes of an adult nature.

Having written a book about
the importance of connections, Johann Hari was the obvious choice to help me shed
light on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting this key human need. In this
podcast, his work on how loneliness affects depression and anxiety provides
insight, understanding and practical solutions to help us through.

We start by talking about what Johann says is the biggest cause of emotional difficulties – financial insecurity. Of course, things are moving fast and since this podcast was recorded, the UK government has announced support for the self-employed, too. But people are understandably worried how they’ll cope until help filters through. A YouGov survey suggests many are already borrowing money only one week into the current UK lockdown. Johann believes that asking our political representatives to address this is a vital way to feel connected, value our key workers and safeguard our mental health.

We also discuss how shared experience and meaning can be a way out of loneliness. Johann gives some extraordinary examples of people who’ve managed to find meaning and affect positive change in the face of huge adversity. We’re all familiar with post-traumatic stress, but there’s emerging evidence that more people actually experience growth as a result of trauma. They re-evaluate, reset their values, life in many ways gets better for them. Could this be the way we all move through – and beyond – this global crisis? It’s a lot to get your head around, but it’s a powerful message to hear. Take care, stay safe and be kind.

Disclaimer: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*

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Find out more about Johann:

Website    Facebook   Instagram    Twitter

Johann’s books:



Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find HopeChasing the Scream: The Search for the Truth About Addiction



Further learning:



More about John Cacioppo.Huffpost – A
Canadian City Once Eliminated Poverty And Nearly Everyone Forgot About It ResearchGate – The
Town with No Poverty: The Health Effects of a Canadian Guaranteed Annual Income
Field Experiment The Guardian – The
scene belonged to a disaster movie, not a family holiday’: the day my partner
drowned Likkle swimmersAnnual Review of Psychology – Materialistic
Values and Goals More about James
Pennebaker‘s work at the
University of Texas at Austin.A Paradise
Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities That Arise in Disaster by
Rebecca SolnitOn Fire:
The Burning Case for a Green New Deal by Naomi Klein



Dr Chatterjee’s resources:



Podcast #94 – Is Everything You Know About Depression Wrong? With Johann Hari Find Dr Chatterjee’s 4 Pillar of Health in The 4 Pillar PlanAvailable in the US & Canada with the title How to Make Disease DisappearOrder Dr Chatterjee’s book The Stress Solution.Dr Chatterjee’s NEW book Feel Better in 5 is out now.

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*DISCLAIMER: Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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