Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad

And so over the next three years, the commission will be tackling some of these issues to really try and find out the kind of narrow in on on some of these as currently that data looking at, you know, which countries are the loneliest or least lonely, we're not getting consistent findings that suggest a particular area is far better than others. But we're getting hints at that.

And so over the next three years, the commission will be tackling some of these issues to really try and find out the kind of narrow in on on some of these as currently that data looking at, you know, which countries are the loneliest or least lonely, we're not getting consistent findings that suggest a particular area is far better than others. But we're getting hints at that.

And so I think it's really promising and hopefully we'll have some more firm answers soon.

And so I think it's really promising and hopefully we'll have some more firm answers soon.

Well, I can say that at least the global happiness index that the Gallup does, they consistently show that the Nordic countries tend to rate themselves as the happiest countries.

Well, I can say that at least the global happiness index that the Gallup does, they consistently show that the Nordic countries tend to rate themselves as the happiest countries.

Yeah. So first off, I just want to mention I've actually been to several of the Blue Zones several times. I direct an international study program. And I'll just note that one distinction between the Blue Zones and some of this other data is the Blue Zones are focused on hotspots where there are higher concentrations of centenarians. So in a way, those are kind of like looking at

Yeah. So first off, I just want to mention I've actually been to several of the Blue Zones several times. I direct an international study program. And I'll just note that one distinction between the Blue Zones and some of this other data is the Blue Zones are focused on hotspots where there are higher concentrations of centenarians. So in a way, those are kind of like looking at

that outliers right whereas the other kind of data that we're looking at is where the overall country um is is faring better or worse than others so just wanted to make that that slight distinction um but of course social connection is is an incredible um uh predictor of longevity and and so that's really important um to answer your next question about um social connection and and

that outliers right whereas the other kind of data that we're looking at is where the overall country um is is faring better or worse than others so just wanted to make that that slight distinction um but of course social connection is is an incredible um uh predictor of longevity and and so that's really important um to answer your next question about um social connection and and

how that relates to loneliness. I think it's also helpful to really put into context that loneliness is something that is actually adaptive. And I know that sounds really strange to hear, but it's part of normal human experience. much like hunger and thirst. Although it feels a little uncomfortable, it's a biological signal that motivates us to seek out a biological need.

how that relates to loneliness. I think it's also helpful to really put into context that loneliness is something that is actually adaptive. And I know that sounds really strange to hear, but it's part of normal human experience. much like hunger and thirst. Although it feels a little uncomfortable, it's a biological signal that motivates us to seek out a biological need.

And so just like hunger motivates us to seek out food, loneliness motivates us to seek out social connection. And so from that standpoint, Um, it, it is something that is, um, uh, normal in the short term, but when it becomes chronic is when it, um, um, and, and those needs are, are left unmet. That can be problematic.

And so just like hunger motivates us to seek out food, loneliness motivates us to seek out social connection. And so from that standpoint, Um, it, it is something that is, um, uh, normal in the short term, but when it becomes chronic is when it, um, um, and, and those needs are, are left unmet. That can be problematic.

Um, and, and so, uh, when, when we think about how to, um, really ultimately we need to meet those, um, social needs. And so, um, So one way to reduce that signal is to actually meet those social needs. However, it is possible that we could dampen that signal without meeting those needs. And so that might be potentially problematic.

Um, and, and so, uh, when, when we think about how to, um, really ultimately we need to meet those, um, social needs. And so, um, So one way to reduce that signal is to actually meet those social needs. However, it is possible that we could dampen that signal without meeting those needs. And so that might be potentially problematic.

Imagine just dampening your hunger or thirst without actually getting any food or water. And so we have to be really careful about just focusing specifically on the signal and kind of ignoring the needs. uh, but, but they are, uh, um, importantly, uh, uh, connected.

Imagine just dampening your hunger or thirst without actually getting any food or water. And so we have to be really careful about just focusing specifically on the signal and kind of ignoring the needs. uh, but, but they are, uh, um, importantly, uh, uh, connected.

There's also instances in where, um, that signal seems to be, um, not for lack of better terms, maybe, um, uh, not well calibrated in the sense of, it would be like still continuing to feel hungry, even though there's plenty of food available and you're getting plenty of food. Right. And so there are, um, Maureen F Curtin she, her, her, her, or other kinds of therapeutic techniques.

There's also instances in where, um, that signal seems to be, um, not for lack of better terms, maybe, um, uh, not well calibrated in the sense of, it would be like still continuing to feel hungry, even though there's plenty of food available and you're getting plenty of food. Right. And so there are, um, Maureen F Curtin she, her, her, her, or other kinds of therapeutic techniques.