Social connection took a backseat during the pandemic. Two and a half years later, we’re still dealing with the fall out.

More employees are disengaged not only in the workplace but also on the home front. Gallup reports the ratio of engaged to actively disengaged workers is at the lowest level in a decade and that half of the U.S. workforce is allegedly quiet quitting—that is, doing only they are required to do and no more.

Research shows disengaged employees not only perform poorly but are more likely to struggle with health issues such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, complacency, and stress. 

“By neglecting our need for social connection, we put our health at risk,” said Mark Ostach, a national digital wellness & human connection expert. “Social connection is a critical area as we advance the hybrid workplace and our understanding of what makes us healthy.” 

In 2022, the World Health Organization changed its definition of health? by the addition of social well-being to “ health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease”. 

“We found employees during the pandemic lockdowns felt isolated, disengaged, and depressed,” said Ostach. “Social connection has shown to lower anxiety and depression and actually improve our immune systems.” 

Tell us about the New Book and your three-part series:

Through, a variety of outlets, including his new book “If You Really Knew Me, The Secret to creating a culture of Connection & Belonging” and a three-part series on how to find freedom in your digital day, Ostach’s goal is to restore energy and focus to organizations battling modern life’s non-stop pace and growing sense of disconnection.

Ostach suggests using the BELL method, an acronym representing Belonging, Empathy, Listening and Love, as a framework to foster connection and belonging at work and home, and within our communities 

Ostach’s book features a range of people who courageously open their hearts, all of which are intended to highlight our need for social connection and belonging. Using the prompt, “If you really knew me.. . ” each person reminds us that we have more in common than our LinkedIn profiles and the zip codes we live in. 

Osach said “If You Really Knew Me’ is an icebreaker on steroids. 

“It will take time for employees to be connected beyond the surface. The exercise sparks vulnerability and gets people to foster a better sense of social connectedness right out of the gate. Finding ways to foster a culture of social connection will help people better handle stress in improving their overall health. “ 

Ostach often discusses the following topics: 

Digital Wellness

●      Find freedom in your digital day

●      Setting boundaries with your social media

●      How to unplug for a day 

Wellbeing

●      How to deal with Daylights Saving Time

●      Tips to Prevent the Winter Blues

●      Easing Anxiety for back to office return

●      Importance of Gratitude 

Work Culture

●      Ways to foster mental wellness at work

●      Two Simple Questions to help curb Quiet Quitting

●      Tips to keep employees engaged in virtual meeting

●      Offering Grace to Stop the Workplace Revolving Door 

https://www.markostach.com/ 

About Mark Ostach:

Mark Ostach helps people find the courage to connect—with themselves, their purpose, and with the people in their lives—both online and offline. Ostach's goal is to restore energy and focus to organizations battling modern life’s non-stop pace and growing sense of disconnection. He’s done this with organizations like DTE, Consumers, Quicken Loans, MEDC, & Honigman, LLP, Thermo Fisher Scientific, BASF,  AllState, HItachi, and others. Ostach’s goal is to restore energy and focus to organizations and individuals battling modern life’s non-stop pace and growing sense of disconnection. A wellspring of energy and born empath, Ostach holds degrees in business, psychology and technology with an interest in behavioral neuroscience. 

A recipient of Crain’s Detroit Business 20 in Their 20s and Oakland County’s 40 Under 40 awards, he’s an experienced leader who’s helped create strong cultures for associations, businesses and nonprofits. Clients have shared that Ostach is insightful, engaging, creative, motivating, and empathetic. He works from a leadership model that supports people to become more present and engaged. Mark works to raise his clients’ levels of self-awareness and identify strengths to support movement towards personal & professional goals. 

As a member of the Digital Wellness Collective, a global trade organization for digital wellness experts and organizations, Ostach is determined to remind the world that human connection is the most powerful connection we have. A nationally recognized speaker on Digital Wellness, Ostach has done two TED talks and spoken to thousands of people all over the country, encouraging them to embrace a culture of digital wellbeing. 

Ostach released his book “Courage to Connect, Stories that encourage meaningful connection in your life”.