Feeling lonely is part of our evolutionary makeup. The emptiness in our chests is what drove our ancient ancestors to seek out others, form tribes, find mates, and face the terrors of nature together. But in our modern society, feeling alone is a shameful secret. 

In this episode we’re breaking down the concept of loneliness: why we feel it, why we’re ashamed of it, and how chronic feelings of loneliness can actually change your brain chemistry for the worse. All this to answer the rude question: Is everyone as lonely as I am?

That’s what you’re in for today, on Impolite Society.

Email us your impolite questions at [email protected] and visit our website for info about the show and your hosts Laura and Rachel.

Sources:

https://nickwignall.com/loneliness/ 

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/loneliness-is-harmful-to-our-nations-health/#:~:text=Loneliness%20can%20be%20deadly%3A%20this,smoking%2015%20cigarettes%20per%20day. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-020-00742-z?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_content=en_textlink&utm_campaign=3_nsn6445_deeplink_PID100024933&CJEVENT=b33240ab81f211ec817077e90a82b820 

https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-dark-side-of-loneliness#3 

https://thriveglobal.com/stories/difficult-hard-to-admit-lonely-loneliness-epidemic-stigma/ 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-020-00742-z?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=commission_junction&utm_content=en_textlink&utm_campaign=3_nsn6445_deeplink_PID100024933&CJEVENT=b33240ab81f211ec817077e90a82b820 

https://psychcentral.com/lib/the-dark-side-of-loneliness#1 

https://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/mental-health-social-anxiety-disorder 

https://usa.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/2017_kaspersky-lab-study-shows-how-social-media-threatens-real-life-communication 

https://theconversation.com/a-history-of-loneliness-91542 

Got your own thoughts? Text them to Impolite Society!

Text Rachel and Laura or email us at [email protected]. Visit our website for info about the show and your hosts.