Talk Rx: Five Steps to Honest Conversation that Create Connection, Health, Happiness

by Neha Sangwan

Do you say yes when you really mean no? Do you avoid conflict at all costs? Are you waiting for someone in your life to change in order to get what you want? If so, you’re not alone. Most people will do anything to avoid the unpleasant sensations that accompany having an honest exchange – even if it’s as simple as declining an invitation. But not speaking directly in the short term results in a much bigger problem long-term: hurt feelings and passive-aggressive patterns that stress us out, keep us up at night, and literally make us sick.

You might be thinking, Communication? I know how to communicate. Don’t be fooled. Communication is simple, but it’s not always easy. Many of us learn from an early age to be guarded about what and how we share with others. Few of us know how to pay attention to our body, thoughts, emotions, and values in order to speak from the heart.

In this book, Neha Sangwan, M.D., reveals practical yet profound communication tools that will strengthen your relationships, reduce your stress, improve your health, and even save you time. Having treated thousands of patients in one of the nation’s largest hospital systems, Doctor Neha discovered a theme: her patients’ inability to communicate often played an underlying role in their illness and how well they were able to recover. Once she understood this correlation, she was inspired to create the simple five-step process you’ll learn in this book. Talk Rx will lead you step by step to:

Listen to your body’s signals to better manage stress Create new outcomes with even the most challenging personalities in your life Articulate your frustration and disappointment effectively Talk to people instead of about them Make agreements that stick

“If you’re thinking of someone else in your life who could really use a book on communication,” says Doctor Neha, “let me remind you – it only takes one person to change the outcome of a conversation. And that person is YOU.”

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Self Help

365 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2015

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author's basic concepts were easy to understand, and she gave multiple examples of how to apply her suggestions in different situations. Though she often used her own experiences as examples of how (and how not) to practice these ideas, it didn't come across as boastful. There were a lot of good suggestions on how to improve your communication. It's not just a communication book, though. It's also about paying attention to yourself. For example, what do you value and how might that affect your perception of the other person's actions? What physical reactions does your body have that will clue you into the fact you're upset or going to use a coping mechanism that isn't helpful? The book also contained links to online videos that gave further application examples and a downloadable journal that helps you to think out the points in each chapter. I've already applied some of the things she suggests (and I already knew others, like the 5 love languages).

My only problem with the book is that I still don't understand some of the questions you're supposed to ask yourself. She strongly feels that physically illness has an emotional link. So she asks a heart attack patient, for example, Why this illness? Why now? etc. For example, a heart attack patient might realize she was holding on to anger over a past wrong. I have a few chronic health problems, but can't figure out how to answer those questions. It wasn't clear to me if those questions only applied to certain types of illnesses or if I have a big blind spot when it comes to seeing the answers. Anyway, it does get you thinking. That's a good thing.

I received this review copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine.

[Holly Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the true pleasure of hearing Dr. Neha Sangwan speak and meet her in person at Emerging Women Live 2015 in San Francisco. Her Stages of Listening gives great context to help us become fully aware of how we listen, or don't listen to our selves and the people in our lives - and how it is impacting the quality of our relationships.

[Lauren Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Neha gives specific, real-world examples that help crystallize exactly what she's teaching in each chapter. We all communicate, but are we communicating effectively? And how does that impact our health? Her answers will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about the mind-body connection. This should be taught in schools across the country!

[Nila Novotny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is written by a hospitalist who concludes that many of our health problems are caused or exacerbated by stress, lack of sleep, etc, etc. Much of what she says makes sense and she has good observations and stories to support it. A lot of it is common sense.

[Katey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about the power of healing through conversation.

[Stephanie Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one of those rare books everyone needs to read!