How To Break Through Loneliness

Sep 11, 2020

In this engaging conversation with Dr. Vivek Murthy, the former Surgeon General of the United States, listeners explore the pressing issue of loneliness and its surprising health impacts. Dr. Murthy highlights how loneliness can be more dangerous than smoking and discusses the importance of meaningful relationships. He shares practical tips for cultivating connections and emphasizes the value of service in overcoming isolation. The chat also touches on self-connection and the transformative effects of small, intentional interactions.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Loneliness Is Natural

Loneliness is a natural human experience, not a permanent condition.
We cycle through periods of connection and disconnection, making preparation crucial.

ADVICE

Serve Others

Serving others shifts focus outward, reducing self-centeredness common in loneliness.
Helping others reminds us of our value, lowering our threat level and boosting self-worth.

ADVICE

Prioritize Daily Connection

Spend 5-10 minutes daily with loved ones, in person or virtually.
Even short, meaningful conversations significantly impact feelings of connection.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

How To Break Through Loneliness | This episode is brought to you by Perfect Keto

Studies have shown that loneliness can be extremely detrimental to our health. Posing a higher health risk than smoking, loneliness can lead to inflammation and a host of other precursors to disease. And we know that loneliness does not only result from being alone; even those who live with others can feel lonely and isolated, meaning the quality of our relationships is extremely important to our health. While it might seem intimidating to branch out of loneliness, it can do wonders for your health, attitude, and mindset.

In Dr. Hyman’s recent conversation with Dr. Vivek Murthy, Dr. Murthy shares some of the common challenges that keep us stuck in a rut of loneliness, and he walks us through some really simple ways to become more connected.

Dr. Vivek Murthy served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States between 2014-2017. As the Vice Admiral of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, he commanded a uniformed service of 6,600 public health officers globally. During his tenure, Dr. Murthy launched the TurnTheTide campaign, catalyzing a movement among health professionals to address the nation’s opioid crisis. He also issued the first Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health, calling for expanded access to prevention and treatment and for recognizing addiction as a chronic illness, not a character flaw.

In 2017, Dr. Murthy focused his attention on chronic stress and loneliness as prevalent problems that have profound implications for health, productivity, and happiness. His book Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World was just published in April 2020.

This episode is brought to you by Perfect Keto. Right now, Perfect Keto is offering Doctor’s Farmacy listeners 20% off plus free shipping with the code DRMARK. Just go to perfectketo.com/drmark, and make sure you try their Nut Butters and Keto Cookies.

Find Dr. Hyman’s full-length conversation with Vivek Murthy, “Why Loneliness Is A Public Health Issue,” here: https://DrMarkHyman.lnk.to/VivekMurthy