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Decline in American Social Life Leading to Loneliness Epidemic

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It’s a sad, scientifically proven reality that many people are lonely.

In fact, a new Gallup poll that tracks loneliness reveals that 44 million Americans – 17% of the total population – are experiencing significant loneliness.

That lofty number represents a decline from the 25% of those surveyed during the height of the pandemic who said they were lonely. But experts, many of whom expressed concerns about a loneliness epidemic even before COVID-19 turned lives upside down, believe a pronounced decline in American social life over the past decade or so is a detriment to the collective psyche of our culture. This trend toward aloofness begets loneliness, which can be emotionally draining and can make life for those who struggled with it seem dreary.

Loneliness is not to be taken lightly from a public health perspective. It can have a significant impact on both our mental and physical health.

Numerous studies have found a link between loneliness and cardiovascular disease, diminished sleep quality, increased inflammation, and reduced viral immunity.

In fact, research published by the National Institute of Health shows that loneliness has the same effect as 15 cigarettes a day in terms of health care outcomes and health care costs.

While not a specific mental health condition, loneliness is perceived as a soul crushing global human phenomenon that can be the bane of one’s happiness. That’s mostly because we humans are hardwired for social interaction and connection.

Loneliness has been the focal point of countless poems, songs, and tear-jerker movies. Metaphorically, it is the sunless days and empty glasses of our lives. We should do all we can to avoid or eliminate it.

Loneliness defined

Even though most of us know what loneliness feels like, it’s likely that few could provide an adequate definition beyond the obvious: Being alone.

But there is a much deeper interpretation. In essence, a difference exists between being alone and being lonely.

Being alone is a physical state in which a person is not in the company of anyone else. Being lonely is an emotional state where a person feels abandoned or sad due to isolation or lack of social connectiveness.

There are times when many of us relish some alone time – away from bothersome colleagues, nagging spouses or hyperactive children. It can be therapeutic to unplug from everything and everyone for a little while.

For some, however, alone time is not brief reprieve but a paralyzing sense of being unable to satisfy our basic human need to connect with others in a meaningful way.

Thus, loneliness can perhaps best be defined the discrepancy between a person’s social needs and the extent to which these are satisfied through purposeful social interactions.

Fighting loneliness

People do not aspire to be lonely.

It can often be the result of life changes, such as the death of a significant other, moving to a new location, or divorce. Internal factors such as low self-esteem or social anxieties can also play a major role.

A person with social anxiety may crave human connection but find it a nerve-wracking endeavor to interact with others. So, they live silently with their loneliness while putting their physical and mental health at risk.

The so-called loneliness epidemic has broad implications far beyond the individual. Surveys indicate lonelier workers perform more poorly, quit more often, and feel less satisfied with their jobs — costing employers across the United States billions of dollars.

Experts say addressing the epidemic should be moved to the front burner of social consciousness. Fortunately, that appears to be happening.

The American Psychiatric Association says many national and international organizations have called for actions to prevent and address loneliness and social isolation. They include the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, the American Heart Association, and others.

Raising awareness about the importance of social connection and emphasizing the health benefits of maintaining social relationships should be a major part of the effort, the association says.

If you are lonely, it’s important to realize you are not alone in that experience. And there are steps you can take to fight it.

The Centers for Disease Control offers the following suggestions:

  1. Start a conversation. Call, video chat, or text message friends, family, neighbors and co-workers.
  2. Use social media to connect. Use your time online to connect and interact with others instead of scrolling through posts. Set limited timeframes for reading the news.
  3. Try volunteering to provide support in your community. Many organizations, including faith-based organizations, offer volunteer opportunities that can give you the chance to contribute to something that you find important.
  4. Practice self-compassion and self-care. Be gentle with yourself. Take time for yourself. Read, listen to music, exercise, or learn a new skill. Acknowledge your successes and give yourself a break. You are doing the best you can.
  5. Seek help from a professional if your loneliness becomes overwhelming or feels unmanageable. Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling

Learn more about psychologist Ariana Mitchell, PhD.

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