Loneliness is widespread and affects people of all ages. In studies, more and more people say that they often feel alone, and the corona pandemic has exacerbated this trend. But loneliness can also be seen as an opportunity and a resource. How big is the problem really? Topics in this episode: 00:00 What is the difference between loneliness and being alone? 10:18 What does loneliness feel like? 19:20 Why is loneliness such a big issue right now? 28:40 How unhealthy is loneliness? 36:58 Can social media help against loneliness? 40:02 What are the positive aspects of being alone? 53:24 Astronaut tips against loneliness "No man is an island," wrote the English poet John Donne. That's true. And that's why it's frightening what studies have suggested since Corona: Feelings of loneliness are increasing. Not only older people, but also young people between the ages of 25 and 30 are said to suffer the most. There is talk of an epidemic of loneliness, of a society of loneliness and of loneliness being as bad for your health as smoking. But doesn't a secluded life, self-sufficiency, have its advantages? Doesn't it ultimately make us more socially acceptable? After all, there are countless spiritual practices that teach withdrawal and see silent meditation as a central exercise. Have we perhaps just forgotten how to be alone with ourselves? The philosopher Odo Marquard spoke as early as 1983 of the loss of our "ability to be alone". How lonely are people in our society really and how problematic is that? What are the strengths of being alone? And what can we learn from space psychology in all of this? Olivia Röllin asks political scientist Diana Kinnert and psychotherapist Alexandra de Carvalho. Sternstunde Religion from September 29th, 2024 ____________________ ✨ New conversations with exciting guests every week Program managers: ???? Director: Monika Odermatt, Editors: Maurice Köpfli, Martina Kuhn, Production & Management: Judith Hardegger, SRF 2024 ____________________ Subscribe now to SRF Kultur Sternstunden on YouTube ????https://www.youtube.com/srfkultur?sub... More culture on Facebook ???? / srfkultur More culture on Instagram ???? / ​​srfkultur More culture on srf.ch ???? https://www.srf.ch/kultur ____________________ The big questions of life, discussed in conversation with people who move, understand, believe and doubt. That is our approach. We conduct social debates and profound conversations that entertain and inspire. Religion can be many things and it reaches deep into the middle of society. From Zen meditation to the abuse of power in the church, from football fan cults to the gender debate: we approach the broad topic of religion, faith and spirituality with critical distance. ____________________ Moderation: Olivia Röllin: / oliviaroellin Ahmad Milad Karimi: / donkarimi ____________________ Social Media Netiquette from SRF: ► https://www.srf.ch/social-netiquette #SRFCulture #SRFCultureSternstunden #SRFSternstunde #Religion #Loneliness #Aloneness #SRF #Culture