Around one in five people in the US report being lonely “a lot of the day”, on any given day (Gallup).  This represents a large increase over just a couple decades. In addition, researchers increasingly highlight the severe, negative health consequences of loneliness. All of this led the US Surgeon General in 2023 to declare loneliness an epidemic.

It turns out that the lonely spend about as much time with others as do the non-lonely. So what is it, really, that causes feelings of loneliness? 

Research also shows that loneliness, counter-intuitively, tends to weaken our social skills and increase social anxiety. Why does loneliness sometimes increase our preference for aloneness? And why does loneliness hurt so very much?  

Finally, what can we do? Research shows that there are strategies that help to minimize feelings of loneliness. Learn about these research-validated strategies, and determine for yourself which might be applicable to your life, your situation, and your preferences.

Let's work together, let's support one another, and let's take community in this workshop on coping with loneliness.

Dr. Thomas J. Bussen is an organizational behavioralist and author of four books, with a specialization in positive psychology, wellness, mindfulness, resilience, and compassion.  On sabbatical from Miami University in Ohio, an experienced meditator and Buddhist Chaplain-in-training, he has taught meditation and wellness strategies in the USA, India, Nigeria, Nepal, and Bhutan.

A former Peace Corps volunteer, he has taught for most of the last decade at leading universities in Kyrgyzstan, Rwanda, and in the United States and has consulted for organizations ranging from the US State Department and Transparency International to private entities. He holds an MBA and a Juris Doctor (JD) in International and Comparative Law from St. Louis University, and a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) from the University of Florida.

Registration encouraged. Walk-ins welcome.