Almost half of adults in the US report that they feel loneliness on occasion, one-third experience it almost daily, and fourteen percent of adults in the US—over forty-six million people—say that they suffer from loneliness constantly. As well as having serious psychological effects, loneliness can be as detrimental to physical health as heavy smoking.
What can you do to care for loneliness in yourself and others?
This video explains the nature of loneliness as well as is its consequences to individuals and communities. It delves into several myths about loneliness, which people are thought to suffer the most, and how the social isolation during covid has affected the situation.
Here are three action steps that you can take:
- Start to build new and closer relationships with friends and neighbors. This will grow the support network around you, strengthening everyone to care for each other as well as personally feel seen and connected.
- Take initiative in your current relationships. Frequent contact and interaction with the people closest to you develops a mutual sense of belonging that protects against loneliness.
- Help reduce the stigma associated with loneliness. Rather than shy away or reject negative emotions, start to normalize engaging with uncomfortable experiences. This creates a safe space for those in distress to ask for help and reach towards friendship and security.