If you are lonely, if you’ve ever been lonely, you are not alone.
Loneliness is extraordinarily common. It is a universal part of the human experience – a natural signal like hunger or thirst that our body sends us when we lack something that we need for our survival, which is social connection.
In this RSA Short, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy explains how we can get better at spotting the signs of loneliness in people around us, and the simple steps we can all take to building a more connected society, and a more connected life.
- Speaker: Dr Vivek Murthy, 21st Surgeon General of the United States
- Animation & Design: Jackie Lay and Diego Rodriguez
- Producers: Keeley Davies, Abi Stephenson
View the original event information and watch the full video from the event on the Finding connection in an age of isolation event page.
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"Loneliness is extraordinarily common. It is a universal part of the human experience – a natural signal like hunger or thirst that our body sends us when we lack something that we need for our survival, which is social connection." I agree. I know what it feels like to be lonely. Spending twelve long years as a refugee in England was not easy. I often felt lonely. But I was rescued from acute loneliness when I summoned up the courage to reach out to strangers for friendship. In many ways, I was lucky because these friendships I formed benefited me greatly. They not only gave me purpose, but they also gave structure to my life, leading me to do the work I am now doing. Indeed, I owe my current work to the many friendships I formed during those difficult years. You may learn more about my experience by reading a blog in which I speak of a particular lady friend, Edna. See, https://thekamugasachallenge.com/greyheads/
Ahhh, very sweet. There's something about having the capacity to also think of others when you are feeling lonely though. Not easy.