We don’t fully grasp just how much loneliness hurts us

Loneliness takes a toll on your health and wealth, and it can even shorten your life. US Surgeon General Vivek Murphy has declared it a national epidemic, with over 50% of Americans reporting regular experiences of loneliness.

Beneath this seemingly harmless feeling, which we might dismiss as subjective and fleeting, lies a significant concern. Murphy explains it eloquently: "It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing."

If this doesn't prompt us to wake up and pay attention, consider that the health damage caused by chronic loneliness is equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Once we grasp this, it becomes clear that the impact extends beyond health, reaching into our spiritual, family, and economic well-being when we lack life-giving relationships.

We all have our reasons for experiencing loneliness. Personally, I moved around frequently during my childhood, navigating different cultures, languages, and social circles, often feeling like the perpetual outsider. By the age of 14, my father was no longer in the picture. The list of reasons explaining my solitary existence could go on, but it doesn't diminish my fundamental need for deep and varied friendships.

When I did finally grasped this is a skill I need to succeed in life, it change my life and continues to today.

In this episode of Headspace, I delve into the reasons behind our loneliness and discuss the steps you can take to transform your relationships, your life, and your future. Enjoy, and please share your thoughts with me.

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I’ll be unpacking this and much more at during a free webinar Q&A on October 25th at noon central. Limited spots are available, so be sure to register [here].

I'm currently engrossed in a book authored by a new friend, Jack Barsky, whom I was introduced to by a mutual friend. The book, titled "Deep Undercover: My Secret Life and Tangled Allegiances as a KGB Spy in America," presents a riveting narrative, especially if you have an interest in the Cold War and its contemporary reverberations. Link [here]

If you're looking for a sneak peek into this epic tale, I recommend checking out Jack's interview on 60 Minutes. It provides a quick glimpse into the remarkable story.