In this enlightening discussion, Marisa Franco, a friendship expert and psychologist, explores the essence of adult friendships. She reveals that loneliness affects one in five Americans and underscores the dire health implications of isolation. Franco discusses three types of social connections essential for well-being—intimate friendships, relational ties, and collective bonds. She also offers practical strategies for overcoming the challenges of making friends as adults, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and intentionality in building meaningful connections.
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Vivek's Childhood Loneliness
Vivek Murthy felt lonely as a child after moving to a new city and country.
He felt ashamed and guilty, hiding his loneliness from his family.
insights INSIGHT
Loneliness and Health
Loneliness is a serious public health issue, impacting our physical and mental well-being.
It increases the risk of heart disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.
insights INSIGHT
Loneliness: A Public Health Crisis
Loneliness is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day in terms of its impact on mortality.
It's more prevalent than smoking or diabetes, affecting a significant portion of the population.
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In 'Bowling Alone', Robert D. Putnam presents extensive data showing how Americans have become disconnected from family, friends, neighbors, and democratic structures. He argues that this decline in social capital has significant negative impacts on physical and civic health. The book explores various factors contributing to this decline, including changes in work, family structure, suburbanization, and the influence of technology such as television and the internet. Putnam also discusses historical precedents and potential solutions for reviving civic engagement and social connections.
Platonic
How The Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends
Marisa G. Franco
In 'Platonic', Dr. Marisa G. Franco explores the latest findings on the bonds between people, debunking myths such as the idea that friendships happen organically. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's attachment style—secure, anxious, or avoidant—to improve and deepen friendships. The book provides a practical and research-based blueprint for forging strong, lasting connections and becoming happier and more fulfilled selves.
Together
The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
Vivek Murthy
In this book, Dr. Vivek Murthy makes a compelling case for loneliness as a major public health concern, comparable in harm to smoking. He argues that loneliness affects not only individual health but also societal cohesion, contributing to issues such as addiction, violence, depression, and anxiety. The book is divided into sections on understanding loneliness and building more connected lives, offering strategies like spending time with loved ones, focusing on each other, embracing solitude, and helping others. Murthy draws from personal experiences, scientific research, and community examples to illustrate the negative impacts of loneliness and the healing power of human connection.
Loneliness is a far more common and far more serious problem than we think. It affects one in five Americans, and takes a toll on our bodies and minds. To thrive we need to several types of social interactions - both casual and more intimate.
With the help of US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy; Harvard Divinity School fellow Casper ter Kuile; and friendship expert Marisa Franco; Dr Laurie Santos looks at how loneliness might be affecting you or someone you know, and what science-back steps you can take to increase your circle of friends.
For further reading:
Vivek Murthy - Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World.
Marisa Franco - Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make—and Keep—Friends as an Adult.
The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos 
