The Joy of Connections by Dr Ruth K Westheimer Book Review

About the Book:

When Surgeon General Vivek Murthy sounded the alarm that loneliness “represents an urgent public health concern”—exacerbated by social media overuse, the residual effects of the pandemic, and the lack of meaningful relationships—trusted therapist Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer knew that her unique perspective and expertise could help. Long beloved for breaking stigmas around sexual problems, Dr. Ruth made it her mission to help individuals break free from the bonds of hopelessness and isolation.

We are social animals. We have a shared desire to connect and create lasting relationships with the people around us. But the heaviness of loneliness can make this feel impossible. Dr. Ruth, with Emmy Award–winning journalist Allison Gilbert and longtime collaborator Pierre Lehu, tackles the subject with compassion and her trademark no-nonsense approach. She provides practical and creative strategies for finding friends, community, and intimacy. And it’s anchored by Dr. Ruth’s own story, from the horrific loneliness of losing her family in the Holocaust to living in an orphanage to rebuilding her life in America and eventually becoming a world-renowned sex therapist.

With 100 concrete and innovative opportunities that can be put to use immediately, The Joy of Connections isn’t only an action-oriented guidebook on overcoming loneliness from one of the most well-respected therapists of our time; it’s also the vital kick in the pants we all need in order to start seeking—and finding—deep and lasting human connections.

My Review:

Loneliness is a serious problem today. We can even be in the company of people but if there is a feeling we do not matter, there is loneliness. Westheimer reminds us it is not the quantity but quality of relationships that is important. She also reminds us loneliness is a feeling and we can make choices to alleviate it. It is not easy, she wrote, but it can be done.

She draws from a number of sources to give insight on how we can alleviate loneliness. I like that she begins with self investigation. “Self assessment is critical.” (164/1697) Have we excluded meaningful relationships with others? She then gives a number of ideas of how we can move toward establishing new relationships with others, from doing small acts of kindness to joining a class or other interesting group.

Readers should remember Westheimer was a sex therapist. While she does include sex, I was glad she recommended not having sex too quickly. Sex is emotional, she says, and we are to protect our hearts. (864/1697)

This is a timely book full of good ideas to begin making quality relationships with others and alleviating feelings of loneliness.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

About the Author:

Dr. Ruth K. Westheimer broke stigmas for more than forty years, beginning in the 1980s with her nationally syndicated radio show Sexually Speaking. She authored or co-authored forty-six books on many topics and was named New York’s Ambassador to Loneliness, the first such position in the United States. A beloved therapist known to millions as “Dr. Ruth,” she passed away in July 2024.

Rodale Books, 176 pages.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)