Humans are inherently social animals who rely on interpersonal relationships for a variety of needs. When people experience healthy friendships, family dynamics, and even casual positive interactions with others, they feel a sense of belonging and satisfaction, which translates to better health. However, when social connections and relationships don’t meet an individual’s needs, feelings of loneliness and isolation may occur with potentially devastating consequences.
How do loneliness and isolation affect physical and mental health?
Feelings of loneliness and isolation can significantly impact our health, especially when these feelings occur over an extended time. Unsatisfactory social relationships or connections can lead to a host of both mind and body problems.
Physical health can be impacted by loneliness in surprising ways. According to the Centers for Disease Control, loneliness can significantly impact our health by increasing the risk for premature death, strokes, heart disease, heart failure and other cardiovascular issues. The incidence of those risk factors due to loneliness rivals the levels of those same factors in those who smoke, are obese or physically inactive. Various studies have also shown correlations between loneliness or isolation and other complications, including poor sleep, decreased self-control, higher stress levels and lowering immunities.
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Mental health struggles can also develop from feeling isolated or lonely. This is true not only for adults, but also for children and adolescents, as depression, anxiety, and even suicidal ideation and attempts are potential issues resulting from a lack of sufficient positive social relationships. Among older adults, extended social isolation may even increase an individual’s risk for dementia or cognitive decline.
How are various demographics impacted by loneliness and isolation?
Single parents may have children around, but that isn’t enough to prevent feeling lonely or isolated from adults. Parenting, even with a partner, already comes with these challenges which can be exacerbated by dealing with a challenging co-parenting situation or experiencing a loss.
Seniors are a group that are significantly affected by social isolation. Experiences like divorce, becoming a widow or widower, children growing up and moving away, retirement, chronic illness and moving to a retirement home or care facility can increase these feelings.
People with mental illness can have symptoms reappear or increase in severity without access to a support network, including friends, family, or others to connect with.
Immigrants may face language barriers, differences in customs or local dynamics, or lack established social relationships. They may also feel incredibly lonely being away from their home, culture, or family.
Members of the LGBTQ+ community may be affected by discrimination and stigma. They may even experience loss of relationships with family and friends who don’t accept them, leaving them isolated from former social groups.
People with disabilities may experience increased isolation or feelings of loneliness depending on their individual situations. They may face barriers in communication, discrimination, stigma or even physical impediments preventing easier engagement in social relationships.
How to reduce isolation and loneliness
Unfortunately, loneliness and isolation are becoming more prevalent. Many people, from all walks of life, report feeling a lack of social connection or relationships at some point in their lives. Though it may seem impossible, isolation and loneliness can be remedied. Even while being physically apart from others, there are many ways to stay connected and build new social relationships.
- Reach out with an email, text or phone call to friends, family, former co-workers, or neighbors who you haven’t talked to in a while or have lost touch with.
- In situations where physical distancing is necessary, it’s crucial to find ways to connect with others through scheduling regular video calls. Perhaps share a meal, movie, game, or activity together from your separate homes or get together safely outdoors in small groups, appropriately spaced apart.
- Join groups to connect with others through shared interests like a book club, cooking class, community college course, club sports team, fitness class, or community theater. It’s easier to maintain relationships when you have things in common – plus interest-based groups provide opportunities to connect with others in a structured but lower-stress environment.
- Technology allows many opportunities to make social connections and build virtual relationships with real people. Find groups for people in similar life situations, with similar interests, or just looking to connect with others.
- Volunteer for a cause that’s dear to your heart. You can find others who share similar interests or values while gaining satisfaction from giving back to your community.
- If you’re experiencing significant mental or physical health problems related to loneliness or isolation, speak with your doctor or mental health care professional to support you and direct you to various resources.
When feelings of isolation or loneliness become overwhelming, remember that there are ways to create and maintain healthy social relationships and connect to others, regardless of our personal situation or the world around us.
