Heather Dugan is an award-winning author, speaker, and relationship expert frequently sourced by national media for insights on events and trends related to relationships, communication, and connection. Her books include The Friendship Upgrade: Trade Clickable Connections for Friendships that Matter (Headline Books, 2019) and Date Like a Grownup: Anecdotes, Admissions of Guilt & Advice Between Friends. She is also the Founder/Director of Cabernet Coaches®, an “all ages, all stages” social resource group for women.
Heather Dugan, our relationship expert, is back to discuss happiness in relationships and depression in America.
ARE WOMEN LESS HAPPY THAN MEN? ~Award-winning author and relationship expert Heather Dugan is available for insights~
A recent study indicates that American women's happiness has fallen in the decades since the 1970s, despite the gender equality movement making progress in the right direction. "There is a correlation between the rise in gender equality and diminishment of women's happiness if you consider the real-world impact of some of the changes this adjustment has fostered," says Heather Dugan, award-winning author of 'The Friendship Upgrade' and 'Date Like a Grownup.' She is also the founder of Cabernet Coaches®, an "all ages, all stages" group for women that fosters self-betterment through face-to-face friendships and social connections.
"Gender equality has increased workplace opportunities and broadened overall responsibilities. Today's women do more for more people than previous generations who were more singly focused on family needs. Working moms (and women in general) are left with less time for truly connected relationships; they lack the space to easily build the deeper personal relationships and friendships critical to our overall wellbeing. The loneliness of moms as a subgroup has been noted recently as well."
Happiness can be elusive and centers around achievement, acquisition, and the ability to improve oneself or our set of circumstances constantly. It is challenging to sustain happiness due to its inconsistent nature and the stress caused by constantly striving to maintain it. "We can be satisfied by the order and placement of specific elements (good job, home, family, financial security), but happiness grows out of our chosen personal perspective," observes Dugan, whose book 'The Friendship Upgrade' examines the growing issue of personal isolation and equips women to exchange clickable connections for real-time, face-to-face friendships.
Happiness requires a practiced focus, and one thing our busy lives do not often provide is the time to intentionally adjust our perspectives, pause, and appreciate what is good in the present moment. Through Cabernet Coaches, Heather has created an access point, a space for women to find and develop new friendships without pressure, judgment, or shame that they might not already have.
We show the love on the Buff Show #ValentinesDay special. Hear from Relationship expert and award-winning author of The Friendship Upgrade, Heather Dugan's tips on re-evaluating relationships this Valentine's Day
Award winning author Heather Dugan is back on the show to discuss how to have better relationships and joy in 2022.
Award-winning author, media commentator, and speaker Heather Dugan is the author of The Friendship Upgrade: Trade Clickable Connections for Friendships that Matter (Headline Books Inc.), pinpoints causes of isolation and offers life-changing solution steps for the socially sidelined as well as those seeking deeper, more meaningful friend connections.