logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2021
17m 41s

Reducing Loneliness by Lending a Hand

CNN
About this episode

There’s tons of evidence that loneliness can have negative impacts on our mental and even physical health. But when it comes to interventions that reduce loneliness, there is far less research. Today on the podcast, we check out what one neighborhood in Brooklyn is doing to bring people safely together during the pandemic, and we check in with an expert on loneliness, Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad, about new promising research that demonstrates the power of performing small acts of kindness. 

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Up next
Aug 22
Exploring the Brain with 10-Year-Old ‘Sean the Science Kid’
At 10 years old, brainiac Sean the Science Kid already has plenty in common with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: He loves to learn and explain science to his million-plus Instagram followers. He's an advocate for positivity. And when he grows up, he wants to be a ("neuro-cardio") surgeon. So, ... Show More
28m 41s
Aug 19
The New Healthy Blood Pressure Rules
Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure — and the guidelines for managing it just changed. Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains the new rules, including surprising advice on alcohol. Plus, he answers a listener’s follow-up: does the recommended daily dose of “morning sunlight” cha ... Show More
13m 3s
Aug 15
Parenting Has Changed. Here’s What You Need To Know
Feeling overwhelmed as a new parent? Sleep-deprived and drowning in advice? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Parenting can have many different approaches and let’s face it, has changed a lot since you were an infant. Dr. David Hill, pediatrician, author, and AAP spokesperson, break ... Show More
27m 52s
Recommended Episodes
May 2020
Breaking the Downward Spiral of Loneliness
“We think about loneliness as a stereotype of the person sitting alone in a corner at a party,” says former surgeon general of the United States Vivek Murthy, MD. “But loneliness doesn’t usually look like that.” The author of Together joins host Elise Loehnen to explain the downw ... Show More
58m 49s
Aug 2020
2 Levels Of Loneliness & 3 Ways To Create Deeper Connections
Quarantine life has been challenging on relationships and interpersonal interaction. Jay Shetty acknowledges that loneliness is weighing heavy on many right now. In times like this, a proactive focus on health and well being is vital. Need strategies to not only get out of a lone ... Show More
29m 17s
Apr 2020
How can we feel less alone during — and after — COVID-19?
Long before the coronavirus upended our lives and distanced ourselves from our jobs, routines, and loved ones, loneliness was already considered a widespread issue. But now, whether you're living alone or surrounded by people, that feeling of loneliness is probably more profound ... Show More
1h 4m
Apr 2024
Loneliness
What can we learn about loneliness, and how to avoid it, from two countries in two different continents? As Sophia Smith Galer and Scaachi Koul continue their quest for true women’s wellbeing, this time they’re exploring social connections from a global perspective. They hear fro ... Show More
32m 12s
May 2022
Are we in a ‘loneliness pandemic’? With Louise Hawkley, PhD
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic scrambled our social connections, Americans were worried about an epidemic of loneliness. Louise Hawkley, PhD, principal research scientist at NORC at the University of Chicago, talks about the difference between being alone and being lonely, how ... Show More
37m 36s
Apr 2023
Candid Confessions: I'm Lonely In My Head But Home In My Heart
As I research about loneliness, blame and depression, so much of our human need for connection goes wonky when we put our singular focus on getting that connection from others, without balancing that out with inner connection.  Some of the research I found I completely agreed wit ... Show More
43m 13s
Nov 2023
How Loneliness Can Impact Your Health – and What You Can Do About It with Dr. Vivek Murthy
It is widely known that smoking and obesity can lead to chronic disease and death, but do you know that loneliness can be equally detrimental to your health? Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States, is here to talk about the epidemic he is most concerned about righ ... Show More
50m 4s
Dec 2023
How to combat loneliness
1 in 4 adults says they're lonely. The consequences of long-term social disconnection can be dire — everything from an increased risk of heart attacks to dementia and premature death. Primary care physician and author of the new book Project UnLonely Dr. Jeremy Nobel offers tips ... Show More
17m 10s
May 2020
Combating Loneliness
It’s normal to feel lonely during these turbulent times—but sometimes it can be frightening, too. Fortunately, there are resources available to help you feel better about isolating. Transcendental Meditation can be a big help because it reconnects you to your steady, calm, inner ... Show More
5m 44s
Apr 2023
Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad on Navigating Isolation, Loneliness, and Health EP 282
Isolation and loneliness are often interchangeable, but is one more important than the other? My guest today, Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, reveals that both are essential to our health and well-being and can increase the risk of premature mortality. But what happens when one is sur ... Show More
50m 18s