Phil Yanov and Scott Pfeiffer discuss the growing epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, citing a government report that excessive isolation is as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. We provide practical tips on how to combat loneliness by intentionally building social rituals and routines into your life to anchor yourself to community, even when it feels uncomfortable at first.
In this episode:
- The U.S. Surgeon General has released a report on the "epidemic of loneliness" in society.
- Excessive isolation has been found to be as detrimental to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. It increases risks of diseases like heart disease, stroke, anxiety, depression, and dementia.
- Loneliness costs billions per year in increased Medicare spending and lost productivity in the workplace.
- We are inherently social beings and learn how to be human from interacting with others. Isolation degrades our social skills.
- Possible causes include reliance on technology/delivery services reducing need for interpersonal contact, and busy modern lifestyles.
- Benefits of social connection include sharing joy and halving troubles, learning from others' experiences, feeling supported during life changes.
- To increase connection, intentionally build social rituals and routines into your life, like weekly meals with family or friends. Make and keep commitments to show up, even when you don't feel like it.
- Start small - do something socially 10 times before deciding if it works for you. Invest in friendships by giving first. You can make new friends as an adult with determination.
Phil Yanov is the founder, show runner, and host of Tech After Five and Networking Over Coffee.
Upcoming events: https://ta5.us/m/AboutPhil
Scott Pfeiffer is the Business Strategy Consultant at Strategy Business Consulting.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottpfeiffer/
Networking Over Coffee is a weekly online networking event.
https://networkingovercoffee.com
For over 15 years, Tech After Five has hosted, live, in person networking events for IT professionals, entrepreneurs, and their community of support. Join us, or learn how to host Tech After Five in your own city.
https://techafterfive.com