How and Why We Must Combat Loneliness

We might be lucky enough to grow up surrounded by family and friends. But eventually, whether from a move, or a loss of contact, a new school or in our first apartment, we all experience loneliness. By all accounts, loneliness is impacting many Americans in epidemic proportions. Some say ts the single greatest mental health crisis of our time. Yet we don't really seem to take it seriously as a problem. But we should. Loneliness may take a toll both emotionally and physically, and loneliness seems to be more common than ever.

The Heavy Toll of Loneliness

Even before events of 2020 hit hard, the majority of Americans categorized themselves as lonely. This is according to a January 2020 study. Three in five adults experience the challenges of loneliness. That's significant since loneliness can cause very real problems for those hit hard.

Men reported that they felt lonely more often than women. In addition, and surprisingly, individuals aged 72 and older felt less lonely than people 18 to 22. So there's good news in there since we seem to believe that loneliness is the subject of older folks, but here we have evidence that maybe we should be more worried about young adults.

Loneliness at Work

We might assume that working in an office or other environment with colleagues prevents loneliness. But the study showed feeling lonely occurs at work as well. So, no, going to work doesn't count as socializing. Moreover, loneliness at work takes a surprisingly heavy toll on mental wellbeing and on performance.

Employees who experience loneliness view themselves as less productive and involved in their jobs. They are five times more apt to miss work because of stress and twice as likely to call in sick to work due to illness. 

In addition, lonely employees admitted feeling that they produce below-quality work. They consider resigning from their positions more than twice as often. The study also showed that entry-level and senior executive employees felt more lonely than middle management. 

Loneliness and Health

Loneliness takes both an emotional and a physical toll. Experts say that loneliness increases the risk of depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart conditions, and even substance abuse. 

The study also revealed that remote workers are even more apt to feel lonely. That result is particularly significant amid the increase in telecommuting due to the pandemic. But telecommuting isn’t the only cause of loneliness linked to coronavirus.

Experts compare the health impact of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. That's just shy of a pack if you weren't aware. And that's pretty significant.

Illness May Exacerbate Loneliness

Those who live alone and suffer from chronic conditions may have once had many opportunities to interact with others, such as going to the gym, church, shopping or visiting friends in their homes. Those things are now unavailable to some older or chonically ill individuals. 

Many who still have to avoid infections were left to care for themselves while the rest of the world went back to normal. So where does that leave a person who resides in a household of one?

Additionally, an estimated at millions of Americans who live alone may feel particularly lonely. Even the most loving dog or kitten can’t always compensate for the lack of human hugs.

How To Ease Loneliness

With all that evidence that loneliness can harm us physically and emotionally, experts say that by taking certain positive actions, we can help boost our physical and mental health and overcome many of the effects. The key is to take an intentional and proactive approach, rather than waiting for it to go away on its own. Try some of these:

• Daily To-Do List: A daily routine can help you normalize life. Schedule in social activities each day, such as an afternoon phone call with a friend or even joining a library virtual reading group. 
• Stay Informed: Knowing the most recent news can help us feel in touch with the world and give us things to talk about when we talk with other people. 
• Work It Out: From online yoga to a bike ride in the park, exercise can ease loneliness. Some gyms are even offering outdoor classes. 
• Have a Goal: Find something you want to learn. A language? A new skill? Begin practicing guitar so that when you next go to a campout, you're that much more interesting to hang out with.
• Volunteer: Volunteering opportunities abound. Check with your local food bank or Meals On Wheels. Something as simple as a weekly phone call to a homebound senior can make a difference in the world and help them combat loneliness while combating your own. Plus, you get to know new people.
• Stay In Touch: Consider a weekly Zoom or in person cocktail hour or game to see and hear loved ones. Make a phone call, send a message, or create a homemade card to stay in touch. Send gifts and treats to the little people in your family. They love to get mail and being kept away from friends is particularly hard for them.
• Social Media: Just as with staying up-to-date on the news, balance is the key for a healthy use of social media, of course. Doom scrolling never helped anyone. In addition, consider seeking uplifting social media groups such as ones focused on posting photos of pets or groups that involve multiplayer games. 
• Get Creative: From music to painting, creative outlets can help us feel better about ourselves. We may want to try something new, or return to a childhood favorite, such as watercolor. Maybe it's time to write that novel?

Loneliness can take a heavy toll both physically and emotionally, particularly during a pandemic. To ease loneliness, we can become involved in activities, such as volunteering, Zoom get-togethers if you cannot be around in person, and online games. But whatever you do, don't take it lightly. Loneliness is a serious problem that deserves your full attention. If you are experiencing challenges such as depression or anxiety, be sure to consult a health care provider. 

Copyright 2024, Wellness.com