Loneliness is a problem, and many people don’t realize it, or avoid acknowledging this reality – and it won’t go away unless we do something about it!
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness was a problem that many mental health experts were aware of, but did not place a high priority on combating. However, in the years that followed, it became so widespread that it earned a nickname: the “loneliness epidemic.”
Research has revealed a significant prevalence of loneliness, and its effects have proven far more extensive than we ever imagined.
Thanks to this, we are now aware of the problem and can take steps to combat it.
That’s exactly what I’m going to do with this post. Then we’ll look at the consequences of loneliness and how it can seriously affect your health. Finally, I will share information on how you can actively fight in your life and the lives of others.
By the end of this post, you will be much more aware and able to deal with loneliness.
The perils of loneliness
It should come as no surprise that loneliness doesn’t just affect your mood. It’s not just a passing feeling that goes away on its own with no side effects. The effects are very real – and if they persist, they can be very serious.
The CDC shared a list of health risks of loneliness and social isolation especially among older adults, but many of the symptoms and consequences can affect younger people and adults as well. The list includes some pretty serious effects:
Higher risk of stroke and heart disease
Higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes
Increased frequency of anxiety and depression
Higher addiction rates
Higher rates of self-harm and suicide
Higher prevalence of dementia and accelerated cognitive decline
Higher risk of premature death from all causes
Higher risk of early death in general
It’s pretty clear to see how dangerous social isolation and loneliness can be, isn’t it?
The good news is that there are things you can do about it, ways to combat the problem—both in your life, and in the lives of others around you who may also be feeling lonely.
Ways to combat loneliness in yourself and others today:
The loneliness epidemic has gotten so bad in recent years that the US surgeon general has issued an advisory on how to deal with it. This advice provides information and advice to national to local governments, health workers, health systems, public health services, researchers, schools, workplaces and community organizations.
And of course, tips for individuals like us, to combat loneliness in our own lives and the lives of others around us:
Invest time in relationships – Social isolation and loneliness go hand in hand,and both can lead to the very serious side effects listed above. The lack of relationships is exactly what contributes to those feelings of loneliness. Therefore, the key is to invest time (and effort) in your existing relationships – with friends, family, your spouse, children, etc. – as well as in building new relationships.
Yes, building new relationships as an adult can be challenging and time-consuming. But it’s worth the investment. These relationships play a significant role in helping to avoid the feelings of isolation and loneliness that are so prevalent in our modern world.
Disconnect and connect – One of the biggest challenges to modern relationships is distraction. We have so much to distract us from the people we’re with—from the TV screens playing in the restaurant or bar around us to the phones buzzing and buzzing frequently.
It is absolutely imperative that we disconnect from the world around us and engage with the people we socialize with. Minimizing distractions will help improve the quality of your conversations, which in turn improves the quality of time you spend with people. It will make these relationships stronger and have a big impact on your social connections.
Look for opportunities to connect or help others- If people at work go out for drinks, accept their invitation to go together, even if you’d rather go home and relax. If you’re invited to a local charity effort, toy drive, or weekend event, consider saying yes instead of automatically declining.
Participate in social and community groups- Take up a group sport. Join a gym. Attend religious ceremonies. Take up a new hobby and engage with people in that community. Join local professional organizations. The more you socialize—particularly in-person—the more you will feel connected to the people who share your interests or passions. That goes a long way toward staving off feelings of isolation.
Avoid practices that disconnect you- Spending excessive time gaming or online, engaging in social media, or in front of screens alone will disconnect you from the real-life people around you, the people with whom you want to form those connections. The more “alone” your job or hobbies are, the more you need to make it a point to actively seek out in-person interactions in your daily life, as well as avoiding any practices that disconnect you from the people around you.
The more opportunities you have to connect or help others, the more relationships and connections you will build with the people around you and your community. These connections are absolutely vital to avoid feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Now that you’re aware of how common it is, and how dangerous it can be, you can take active steps to combat it.
Use the advice above, to help you, form stronger connections with the people around you—bonding with your friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances—and you can live a healthy, happy life free of loneliness.
For most of the times, health is not valued, until sickness comes. Take care of your body, is only place you can live.