Learn about loneliness
I regard Professor John Cacioppo as the 'Elvis' of the social wellbeing field, and Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad as the 'Beyonce'. I'm beyond grateful for them and for other early scientists and philosophers who devoted themselves to this topic. For newer thinkers, researchers, and social wellbeing advocates, they are the giants upon whose shoulders we stand.
I must also acknowledge the work of Tā Mason Durie, whose Te Whare Tapa Whā wellbeing model has been tremendously helpful in my journey.
More recently, some excellent resources have helped bring the topics of loneliness and social wellbeing out of the ivory towers of academia and into our everyday lives. I've listed a few below for you to explore.
Please note that if I've mentioned a resource here, it means that I appreciate and recommend that content. It is not intended to imply mutual endorsement from the creator.
First, check out this evidence-packed report from the WHO Commission on Social Connection:
From loneliness to social connection: charting a path to healthier societies
You can find TedX talks online from Holt-Lunstad and Cacioppo.
Dr. Holt-Lunstad continues to lead the charge on understanding loneliness and how it affects us. Visit her website to learn more about her amazing body of work.
Sadly, Prof. Cacioppo has passed, but leaves the legacy of a book (co-authored with William Patrick) entitled Loneliness.
Here are a few other books that I found interesting:
Belonging by Owen Eastwood
All About Love by bell hooks
Friendship in the Age of Loneliness by Adam Smiley Poswolsky
The Art and Science of Connection by Kasley Killam
The Village Effect by Susan Pinker
Together by Vivek H. Murthy
Platonic by Marisa Franco
The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Billy No Mates by Max Dickins
Together: Te Oranga o te Katoa by Amanda Wallis & Gaynor Parkin
Solitude: A Return to the Self by Anthony Storr
This Exquisite Loneliness by Richard Deming
Project Unlonely by Jeremy Nobel
Awkward by Ty Tashiro
The Good Life by Robert Waldinger & Marc Schulz
Bowling Alone by Robert D. Putnam
A Little More Social by Nicholas Epley
Situated by Angela Duckworth
If you're not much of a reader, but love to listen, check out the Humans:Connecting podcast, hosted by Phil McAuliffe. available via Spotify, Apple or Youtube.