Feeling Alone? This One Word Can Make You Happier (and Live Longer)

by Lexi Petronis

Courtesy Just Say Hello
Courtesy Just Say Hello

An estimated one in five people (about 60 million Americans) suffers from loneliness--which may actually increase the risk of early death by 45 percent, which is more than obesity or excessive alcohol use.


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That's where this so-simple-yet-so-smart campaign can make a difference. "Just Say Hello" is the result of a partnership between Skype, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, encouraging you to say a simple hi to someone you see every day that you may not usually talk to, or reach out to someone from your past that you haven't talked to in a long time.


In the official video for the campaign, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, and more celebs give little shout-outs--it's cute.

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Honestly, this advice resonates with me right now--a longtime former boyfriend passed away unexpectedly recently, and I so, so wish that I'd taken even a few minutes to reach out and say "hi" before it was too late. I've since been in touch with tons of people that I've meant to catch up with--it's been a painful, but good, lesson that a little love can go a long way. For both the recipient and the giver.

Will you try it?

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