Dr. Vivek Murthy highlights the alarming rise in loneliness, particularly among young people, and its severe health consequences. He emphasizes the need for societal interventions to address this issue, akin to those implemented for tobacco use, obesity, and addiction. Murthy proposes that genuine connection, rather than self-focus, is key to combating loneliness.
," Murthy wrote that loneliness is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. Young people, specifically, are reporting especially high rates of loneliness.
But Murthy believes decreasing feelings of loneliness actually depends on three factors, none of which have to do with ourselves:"When we focus on connecting to something bigger than ourselves, that's actually when we find joy," he told Oprah."It's why service is one of the most powerful antidotes to loneliness."
Many reports have noted the stark difference between older and younger Americans when it comes to loneliness. A whopping 79% of adults between ages 18 and 24 reported feeling lonely,One explanation for this disparity is social media use, Murthy says. "We've moved from having confidants to contacts, from having friends, to having followers, a shift from quality of friends to quantity," Murthy said."And the truth is that there are certain things you can just say to people online that you would never say to them in person, right?"To decrease loneliness, Murthy suggests having deeper conversations. Even if this means you have time for less people, you'll feel more heard.
Loneliness Health Social Connection Youth Mental Health
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