Feeling Lonely? You’re Not Alone, According to a New Study
Even after the pandemic, older Americans continue to feel lonely and socially isolated. This is based on a new research Published by JAMA Network. Looking specifically at 2024, the survey found that 29.2% of adults ages 50 to 80, among 2,051 to 2,576 respondents, said they had “sometimes” or “often” felt isolated from others in the past year. Those who reported higher levels of loneliness were also more likely to experience social isolation, with loneliness being most common among people who were not working, living alone, and those with lower household incomes.
Although some people need more social interaction than others, we are social beings. When we lose our sense of community or lack a sense of belonging, there are a variety of health consequences. It’s also a threat to public health, as one report puts it Consultation 2023 From the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General.
The recommendations address “significant public health challenges” that require immediate awareness and action, according to the Surgeon General’s Office. Loneliness and social isolation The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situationbut the report says the pandemic has also shifted our attention to loneliness as a public health issue.
Ongoing feelings of loneliness or social isolation can affect our mood and mood, lead to symptoms of anxiety and depression, and can also increase our risk of other health problems, including heart disease and dementia.
“Loneliness is more than just a bad feeling, it harms individual and social health,” Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrote in a letter at the beginning of the advisory. “It is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death.”
Murthy said that in terms of mortality, or how certain factors contribute to the risk of death, loneliness has a similar impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and is a greater risk than obesity or physical inactivity.
Many factors can contribute to a person’s isolation from others or continued loneliness. Some of the issues outlined in the consultation include shrinking social networks, increased use of social media and people feeling polarized against each other based on different ideologies.
Loneliness and isolation also affect people differently – older and younger people, people with poor health, single parents, people living alone, people without as much money and people with disabilities may be at higher risk, according to reports .
A chart from the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office shows how a lack of social contact affects your health compared to other factors we often see associated with certain health risks.
How loneliness affects health
It can be difficult to disentangle the direct link between loneliness and health because other factors that reduce the risk of chronic disease, such as physical activity, preparing nutritious meals, or even going to the doctor, are often harder to do when you don’t have the support or help of others. hour. A lack of access to health care may also have a greater impact on certain groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities.
But loneliness and the stress that comes with it can also have a direct impact on health. Loneliness activates sympathetic nervous systemwhich may lead to Elevated stress hormones, inflammation in the body, and high blood pressure. Well enough affect your sleepwhich in turn Affects your overall health.
Tips for finding community and feeling less lonely
If you feel alone, you are not alone. About half of U.S. adults have reported feeling lonely in recent years, according to the Surgeon General’s recommendations.
Feeling lonely or isolated may be because you are unable to connect with others or community. Feeling “connected” It may vary depending on the person’s life, but it’s usually achieved by: talking to someone and feeling like they understand you, having a pleasant experience with someone else, or performing an act of kindness for someone and feeling happy about yourself . Made others It feels good.
To make more interesting or meaningful connections and overcome loneliness, one of the things you can do It’s about joining a club or group around something you really enjoy doing. You can also join support group — maybe even setting up an in-person group in your area through the National Alliance on Mental Illness. If you have symptoms of anxiety or depression, you may also want to consider treatment with a professional who can make sure your needs are met.
But trying to make friends can also be daunting; especially as an adult When you feel like you’re the only one looking for other adult friends (you’re not). Tips on how to express yourself, Follow CNET’s list of tips This may make it easier to meet like-minded people.
