In the book, Murthy also shares his own deeply personal experiences with the subject-from struggling with loneliness in school, to the devastating loss of his uncle who succumbed to his own loneliness, as well as the important example of community and connection that his parents modeled. Loneliness was something so many people have known themselves or have seen in the people around them. Checking on a neighbor, seeking advice, even just offering a smile to a stranger six feet away, all can make us stronger.ĭuring Murthy’s tenure as Surgeon General and during the research for Together, he found that there were few issues that elicited as much enthusiastic interest from both very conservative and very liberal members of Congress, from young and old people, or from urban and rural residents alike. Service is a form of human connection that reminds us of our value and purpose in life. Meditation, prayer, art, music, and time spent outdoors can all be sources of solitary comfort and joy. The first step toward building stronger connections with others is to build a stronger connection with oneself. Forget about multitasking and give the other person the gift of your full attention, making eye contact, if possible, and genuinely listening. Devote at least 15 minutes each day to connecting with those you most care about.
The lessons in Together have immediate relevance and application. We have evolved to participate in community, to forge lasting bonds with others, to help one another, and to share life experiences. Loneliness, he argues, is affecting not only our health, but also how our children experience school, how we perform in the workplace, and the sense of division and polarization in our society.īut, at the center of our loneliness is our innate desire to connect. Vivek Murthy makes a case for loneliness as a public health concern: a root cause and contributor to many of the epidemics sweeping the world today from alcohol and drug addiction to violence to depression and anxiety. In his groundbreaking book, the 19th surgeon general of the United States Dr.
Humans are social creatures: In this simple and obvious fact lies both the problem and the solution to the current crisis of loneliness. The book we need NOW to avoid a social recession, Murthy’s prescient message is about the importance of human connection, the hidden impact of loneliness on our health, and the social power of community.
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