
The world’s first book exploring the science, the stories, and the spread of social prescribing.
Featured in NBC, BBC, PBS, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Vox, The Boston Globe, WIRED, Scientific American, NPR, discussed on The Liz Moody Podcast, mindbodygreen, The Good Life Project, GOOP, and NPR Here and Now podcasts.
Named “Best Public Health Book” by Harvard University and “Next Big Idea Club Must-Read” by Adam Grant, Susan Cain, Daniel Pink, and Malcolm Gladwell.
Selection of Op-Eds & Articles on Social Prescribing
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MindBodyGreen: Social Prescriptions Are The Future: Here's 5 You Should Know
While Western approach to illness has its place, some countries are trying something new: social prescriptions — referrals from your doctor to engage in community activities like volunteer groups, beginner-friendly sports clubs, or art classes. And guess what? They’re working. Read here.
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Scientific American: Social Prescriptions Can Transform Medicine and Better Our Lives
Social prescriptions can transform medicine and better our lives
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Reasons to Be Cheerful: Don’t Forget to Take Your ‘Culture Vitamins’
In Denmark, prescriptions for group-based experiences, like concerts or library read-alouds, are helping people reconnect with themselves. Read here.
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Selection of Podcasts, Talks & Interviews on The Connection Cure
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Goop Podcast: The Connection Cure
A discussion on the five key pillars that form the foundation of social prescriptions, finding okayness in difficult times, the power of flow states, and the potential for social prescribing to reshape healthcare policy. Listen here.
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NPR: "'The Connection Cure' explores social prescriptions to improve mental and physical health"
Host Deepa Fernandes speaks with Julia Hotz, author of the new book "The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service and Belonging." Listen here.
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The Liz Moody Podcast
You can improve your happiness and health through connection, nature, art, and more. Listen here
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The Good Life Project: "A radically simple approach to living well"
Insights into the prescriptive power of re-connecting through movement, nature, art, service and community
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Seattle KIRO-7: "The Positive Effects of Social Prescriptions"
A look at "social prescriptions" being given to people in countries around the world. Listen here
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Next Big Idea Club: New Horizons in Medicine
New Horizons in Medicine: Why Art, Service, and Nature Might Be What the Doctor Orders. Listen here
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Lugano Happiness Forum: "A Social Prescription for Happiness"
Hotz explores he key insights from her new book on social prescribing -- a practical way for people to reconnect with their own sense of joy, meaning, and relationships. She'll then walk audience members through an exercise in which they have the opportunity to reconnect with "what matters to them". Watch here.
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mindbodygreen: "Treat ANXIETY without medication"
How to treat a plethora of mental and physcial health conditions through community, nature, and beyond. Watch here
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CNBC: "Health and Wellness We need ‘social prescriptions’ just as much as traditional medicine, author of ‘The Connection Cure’ says
What if going to see a doctor about your low energy meant leaving not just with the order to take vitamin D supplements, but also a recommendation to join a local run club and meet new people?
Book Reviews of The Connection Cure (see more on GoodReads)
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Mental by Ben Miller
““Julia’s writing is spectacular. Her ability to weave in science with story all with that solutions frame should be the envy of every writer out there. I found myself constantly highlighting sections that I needed to come back to in order to learn more.”
—Recommended as 2024 Summer Reading pick in Mental newsletter by Ben Miller, leading mental health advocate and policy expert
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Granted by Adam Grant
““With the ideal blend of journalistic skepticism and humanistic optimism, Julia Hotz makes a compelling case that our well-being depends even more on our connections than we realize.”
—Recommended as 2024 Summer Reading pick in Granted newsletter by Adam Grant, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Think Again
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Porchlight Books
““I’ve been frustrated that the diagnose-treat-repeat cycle hasn’t been working for me... I’d let myself get stuck in a mental rut, ruminating on my stress and forgetting that, even in this brain fog I’m in, life is still going on around me, waiting to be lived. After reading this book, however, I’ve realized I can do more for myself. ….Why not take the more joyful route? Why not make the most of every moment?”
—Recommended as Editor’s Choice in a review by Jasmine Gonzalez, Editor at Porchlight Books
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Kirkus Reviews
“With interesting stories and a broad canvas, Hotz connects readers to a different way of thinking about health and wellness.”
— Recommended in Kirkus Reviews
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Mental Health Affairs
“In The Connection Cure, Julia Hotz provides a profound, well-researched, and accessible guide to understanding and implementing social prescribing. Her work illuminates the path to better mental and physical health through connection. It inspires hope that there are tangible ways to reclaim our well-being even in our increasingly disconnected world. This book is essential for anyone interested in holistic health, mental wellness, and the transformative power of community.
—Recommended as a ”transformative read” in Mental Health Affairs
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Health with Hashimoto's
“Trust me, this book is a game-changer. This isn’t your typical health book; it’s a refreshing take on how we can get well beyond just medications. I absolutely loved it and am giving it a five-star rating without hesitation.”
— Recommended by Esther Yunkin on the Health with Hashmoto’s Podcast
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MindSite News
Hotz is a likeable and engaging narrator, and her enthusiasm for the promise and possibilities of social prescribing is infectious.
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Biophilic Solutions
“I fell in love with this book. She does a beautiful job breaking down all of the concepts of what makes us feel well very concisely, and it’s a very easy and interesting read.”
— Recommended by Monica Olsen and Jennifer Walsh on on Biophilic Solutions
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MedShadow
“Hotz’s humor and conversational breakdown of the science within the patient stories kept me turning the pages easily… whether or not one has a diagnosis, I’ve learned that the greatest gift of social prescribing is that it could be good for whatever ails you.”
— Recommended in a MedShadow Review by Kimberley Bliss, Culture Desk Editor
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MindSite News
"Hotz is a likeable and engaging narrator, and her enthusiasm for the promise and possibilities of social prescribing is infectious. For those understandably frustrated by modern medicine’s coldly clinical approach, The Connection Cure describes an alternative pathway to healing from which many people could benefit."