This episode is about loneliness: what it is, why so many of us feel it, and the surprising toll loneliness takes on our physical and mental health. The health effects of chronic loneliness are akin to smoking 15 cigarettes every day—it literally shortens our lives. Yet it can feel vulnerable to name it when we feel lonely. This show examines the risk factors for loneliness, the influence of social media, and how creative approaches to loneliness can leave us more connected and resilient. We also explore why two groups in particular—teens and the elderly—are most at risk for chronic loneliness. We combine compelling storytelling with practical expert guidance to give you the tools you need to start your own courageous conversations.
Tips & Strategies for Combating Loneliness (PDF)
Discussion Guide (PDF)
Listen to Stories from the Episode
Resources
From Our Guests
- Full Interview with Julianne Holt-Lunstad Transcript (PDF)
- Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review
Julianne Holt-Lunstad et al—Perspectives on Psychological Science - The Potential Public Health Relevance of Social Isolation and Loneliness: Prevalence, Epidemiology, and Risk Factors
Julianne Holt-Lunstad—Public Policy & Aging Report - Loneliness in Older Persons: a Predictor of Functional Decline and Death
Carla Perissinotto et al—JAMA Internal Medicine - Alyson Thompson’s Mixed Feelings on Instagram (@mixedfeelingsstl)
Further Reading & Listening
General Resources on Loneliness
- A Cure for Disconnection
J. Latson—Psychology Today - The Loneliness Effect
B. Sadick—US News - Loneliness is Harmful to Our Nation’s Health
C. Pomeroy—Scientific American - How Loneliness Changes Across Your Lifetime
K. Newman—Greater Good Magazine - Why Loneliness May Be The Next Big Public Health Issue
J. Worland—Time - The Big Business of Loneliness
L. Entis—Vox - 10 Ways to Combat Loneliness in a New City—And Even Embrace It
C. Galasso—Bustle
Postpartum Loneliness
- The Excruciating Loneliness of Being a New Mother
L. McLaren—Today’s Parent - The Lonely Terror of Postpartum Anxiety
S. Bregel—The Cut - Black Moms Are More Likely to Suffer From Postpartum Mental Health Problems—But Getting Help is Almost Impossible
A. Goodson Kingo—Working Mother
Loneliness & Gender
- Social Isolation Key Risk Factor for Suicide Among Australian Men—Study
M. Davey—the Guardian - Men Have No Friends and Women Bear the Burden
M. Hamlett—Harpers Bazaar - 3 Surprising Truths About Gender and Loneliness
K. Asatryan—Psychology Today
Aging & Loneliness
- One in Three Seniors is Lonely. Here’s How It’s Hurting Their Health
J. Ducharme—Time - Loneliness is Lethal
C. Gandel—AARP - How to Combat Loneliness and Isolation As We Age
D. Inns—Forbes
Teens & Loneliness
- “I Have Likes, But I Don’t Have Friends”: Teenage Girls Talk Loneliness
S. Raphael—Refinery 29 (part of their Lonely Girls Club series) - Teen Girls Are Now Poisoning Themselves At Alarming Rates. There Are Ways to Help.
B. Resnick—Vox - Teenagers on Loneliness: ‘We Want to Talk to Our Parents. We Need Their Guidance.’
S. Marsh—The Guardian
Mixed-Race and Biracial Identity
- The Psychological Advantages of Strongly Identifying as Biracial
L. Miller—The Cut - The Mixed Race Experience: ‘There Are Times When I Feel Like the Odd One Out’
A. Moshakis—The Guardian
Coming Out
- Out-Takes: the Unheard Stories of LGBTQ Teens
Safe Space Radio Special, 2016 - Feeling Lonely and an Imperfect Coming Out
G. Nicholl—Medium - Nobody Wants to Be Lonely: How to Deal With Post-Coming-Out Blues
J. Appugliesi—Logo
Helpful Organizations
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The Unlonely Project
- Weave: the Social Fabric Project
- MamaGlow
- La Leche League International
- Black Women’s Health Imperative
- Campaign to End Loneliness
- Connect2Affect
- Senior Center Without Walls
- Where You Live Matters
- National Poll on Healthy Aging
- Foster Grandparents
- Safe Space
- Kitestring
- Stomp Out Bullying
- Self Esteem Team
- Amistad Peer Support & Recovery
- The Trevor Project
We’d love to hear from you! If you have a story about loneliness or a comment for one of our guests, leave us a voicemail at 617-600-8419.
