It became clear to Murthy that in society today loneliness is a real problem. From town halls in Alabama to community meetings in North Carolina, the subject of loneliness cropped up almost every time. And his conversations showed that issues like obesity and the opioid crisis were indeed priorities, but something else came up time and again. So after his appointment, he traveled across the United States on a listening tour.

When Vivek Murthy, the author, was appointed the 19th surgeon general of the United States, he had some clear ideas about what he wanted to tackle: mental health, obesity, and the opioid crisis.īut he also wanted to understand people’s own priorities.

why evolution has made it feel good to sing with others.how loneliness might be worse for your health than obesity and.why loneliness is a little like hunger, or thirst.Loneliness is a serious problem, affecting our health and our happiness. Technology means we can video-call with our grandparents, but it can also distract us and get in the way of real, face-to-face, human connection.

While it’s easier than ever to travel to see friends and family, the flip side is that we often live far away from those we love. But in today’s world, it’s not always straightforward. It’s our natural state – to be with and connect to other people. And that’s no surprise.Īs these summaries show, it’s part of the human condition to crave connection. Many of us feel disconnected, adrift, or not truly understood by those around us. Psychology, Nutrition, Self-Help, Death and Grief, Coping with Suicide Grief, Sociological Study of Medicine, Popular Social Psychology and Interactions, Mental Health, Science, Relationships, Personal Development Introduction: Uncover the truth about the loneliness epidemic that’s hidden in plain sight.ĭo you sometimes feel lonely? You aren’t the only one. We need the right mix of relationships to lead a happy life. Our modern, technological world isn’t helping our loneliness problem. It is possible to build free societies that are also rooted in connection, if we focus on the right values. Loneliness is an evolutionary mechanism that tells us something is wrong. Loneliness is a major driver of ill health and even early death. Loneliness is about more than just being alone, and it’s a larger problem than you might think. Introduction: What’s in it for me? Uncover the truth about the loneliness epidemic that’s hidden in plain sight. Drawing on scientific research and personal stories, it explores the high cost of loneliness, and considers how individuals, societies, and governments can tackle the problem by promoting connection. Together (2020) is a powerful treatise on the impact of loneliness and the benefits of human connection.

Vivek h murthy together