This week Kevin and Niseema talk about the other pandemic happening during Covid: Loneliness. How do you react when you hear the words, "I am lonely?" How do you feel when you feel that you are lonely? How hard is it for you to tell somebody, "I am lonely?" "Lonely" has become a dirty word in the English language. We are not allowed to say the words, "I am lonely." Why is that?
Loneliness is almost as pervasive as Covid-19. In the 1970s, 11% of Americans reported feeling lonely within the last 6 months. Pre-pandemic over 40% reported feeling lonely within the last 6 months. We don't have the current statistics on loneliness, but we expect it to be well over 70%. Yet, we still can't talk about it. Why is that?
What is the one thing you would have to face for you to talk about your loneliness? What is the one thing you would have to give up to end your loneliness? Ending your loneliness can be as easy as telling somebody about it. In the second half of the show, Kevin and Niseema do an exercise that makes talking about loneliness as routine as talking about the weather. Since we all have it, we might as well start sharing it with each other.
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For more information or support contact hosts Kevin O'Donoghue LMHC or Niseema Dyan Diemer SEP at: [email protected], or call 212-757-4488.
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These are challenging times and we hope this episode served to validate and ease your anxiety about what you may be experiencing.
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Thank you for listening,
Kevin and Niseema
www.tffpp.org
https://www.kevinlmhc.com
www.niseema.com
www.thepositivemindcenter.com
PRODUCTION CREDITS
Opening Music : Another Country, Pure Shadowfax, Shadowfax
Break Music: "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" performed by, Elvis Presley, written by Lou Handman, Roy Turk, Source: RCA Legacy
End Music : TFFPP Theme - Giullian Goiello for The Foundation for Positive Psychology
The Positive Mind is produced with the help of:
Engineering: Geoff Brady
Producer: Connie Shannon
Website Design and End Music: Giullian Gioello
Marketing and PR: Jen Maguire, Maguire PR, [email protected]