In this episode of The Oprah Podcast, Dr. Vivek Murthy, the outgoing U.S. Surgeon General, offers his parting prescription for fighting loneliness and building lasting community. America’s top doctor shares what he’s learned from his patients, his years on the frontlines of public health, and from his father’s tiny village in India. Dr. Murthy also answers questions about how to overcome loneliness from people who Zoom in from around the country. Also referenced in this episode: Stillness Speaks by Eckhart Tolle Explore Rejuvenation Home Furnishings | Visit the Rejuvenation Website: www.rejuvenation.com Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@Oprah Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: https://www.instagram.com/oprah/ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ Listen to the full podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0tEVrfNp92a7lbjDe6GMLI https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-oprah-podcast/id1782960381 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How did Elmo's question reveal loneliness in society?
Oh, good job you're doing. Good job you're doing. Good job you're doing. Well, we heard a lot from people who I think were really brave to share their sense of loneliness because I think it's one of those things, too, that people carry shame about being able to say out loud that they are lonely. So, Elaine, we applaud you. She's a business owner who's single with no kids in New York City.
And you say, hi, welcome. You say your singleness now you feel more than ever. Why is that?
Yeah. Thank you to both of you for taking the time to talk about this important topic. I'd say it's because I'm single. I live alone in an apartment by myself. Most of my friends are now married. They've moved outside of the city. to the suburbs. They have young kids, very busy schedules, hectic schedules, shuttling their kids all over the place.
And that feels like it's left a hole in my life in terms of those social connections. And I live alone in an apartment building with millions of people right outside the door. And yet I can feel so isolated a lot. And is it this time of the year that you feel even more so? Absolutely.
New Year's Eve is one of those holidays that I personally dread because people are in couples and the ball drops and you're supposed to be with your significant other and it is so... Depressing, really.
You know what? I understand because I remember when I was younger working as a young reporter in Baltimore and everybody would say, what are you going to do your New Year's Eve? What are you doing New Year's Eve?
And that question that people still ask a lot creates a lot of anxiety and embarrassment because if you don't have an answer for what are you going to do New Year's Eve, you feel left out is what you're saying.
Absolutely. And you nailed it, the term embarrassed. I'm embarrassed to share that. I then feel very self-conscious, like what's wrong with me? I need to figure something out because things are not turning out the way that I want them to turn out. And it seems like it has for many of my friends in my social circle.
So what's your question for Dr. Murthy?
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