The Primal Connection: Follow Your Genetic Blueprint to Health and Happiness by Mark Sisson is a self-help non-fiction book published in 2013. It is 253 pages long, and is the second of the author's books on living a "paleo" lifestyle for one's health and fitness. The Primal Connection attempts to take a more holistic approach to paleo living, rather than simply focusing on diet and exercise. The book's author makes an effort to address mental health and explains methods to attain a fully paleo-oriented life, with issues laid out in a simple, accessible fashion.

The author's main point—continuing that of his first book—is that human beings have a genetic blueprint that is designed for a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, not the modern sedentary, comfortable lives most people live now. For most of human history, people lived in small groups, eating non-processed, foraged foods and got plenty of exercise. They lived simply, with fundamental needs, and didn't get all bound up in doubt, existential worries or over-schedule themselves. The modern lifestyle is antithetical to that genetic blueprint, and ignoring the negative impact of that disconnect is harmful both mentally and physically. If people would learn to recognize ways to reconnect with their paleolithic ancestors, they would be both happier and healthier.

The first section lists the "Ten Habits of Highly Successful Hunter-Gatherers," specifically focusing on what goes on inside the average modern human's psyche, as opposed to how "Grok" (the typical paleolithic man) might have thought. "The Inner Dialogue Connection" is about taking responsibility for one's life and getting insight and control over one's mental health. Modern superficial concerns and negativity had no place in a paleolithic man's life, and are only hurtful in one's modern life as well.

The second section is "The Body Connection." The author focuses on the power of human touch, and recommends barefoot living or minimal footwear as a way to better one's physical posture and biomechanics. He especially recommends regular activity throughout the day, rather than a sustained heavy workout that overtaxes the body.

The third section, "The Nature Connection," points out that the modern disconnect from the natural world is also damaging to one's mental health. Since most modern people live in urban areas, they need to go out of their way to incorporate nature into their lives for their well-being. This can be done through simple lifestyle changes, simulations, gardening, or playing outside with one's children.

The fourth section is "The Daily Rhythm Connection." The author spends a great deal of time discussing the ways modern people have lost track of the daily rhythms of life, from the sunrise and sunset to sleep hygiene. The modern attachment to electronics and light must be mitigated and managed so that people can get back into a less distorted reality. Slowing down to a more manageable speed is necessary.

"The Social Connection" addresses the social needs that have been neglected in the modern age, and how to get and maintain meaningful relationships with our "tribe."

Finally, the author defines "The Play Connection," pointing out that people need to keep play in their lives long past childhood. Modern leisure time activities are either about chores or vegetative time-fillers like media consumption, and adult playtime needs to be reinvigorated in order to re-awaken our sense of fun.