In college, I didn’t spend much time with my friends. It’s not that I didn’t have any, I just preferred being alone and didn’t feel the need to make much of an effort to get close to people. At least, that’s what I always told myself. The weird thing is, now I find myself alone a lot. It’s no longer because I prefer it but it’s just the way things have turned out for me. I moved away from my hometown and I work from home, so I don’t have daily interaction with colleagues. Also, social media just doesn’t do it for me, so I don’t frequent my social media accounts. As a result, I find myself quite lonely.
You may have noticed over the last few years that loneliness seems to be a prevalent topic. Popular shows like Mr. Robot, Baskets, and BoJack Horseman tell the stories of lonely characters, and it’s not unusual to see someone sharing a meme about how alone they feel.
According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, around one-in-five Americans report feeling lonely. And studies have also shown that loneliness and social isolation can be as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
So why is this epidemic of loneliness so prevalent and what effects does it have on us? Our licensed psychologists and mental health counselors in Tampa want to shed some light on this very serious topic.
Why We Feel It
According to Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo, loneliness is an emotional state of mind that’s described as a disconnect between what one expects in a relationship and what is actually experienced in said relationship. In addition to the commonly experienced feelings of sadness and detachment from others, loneliness can also be experienced when physically in the presence of other people such as friends, family, and coworkers.
A few types of loneliness include:
- New Situations – This includes being in a new location, job, or other situation where you’ve yet to make friends and feel alone.
- Feeling Different – Something about yourself that you feel excludes you from others, such as your appearance, an interest, or belief, can result in loneliness.
- No Spouse – If you’ve yet to meet that special someone but see others who’ve married and started families, then this can make one feel very lonely.
- No Time for Friends – If you’ve noticed that your close-knit of friends have drifted apart due to life changes like marriage or a new career, and spending time with this person or a group of people becomes a rare occurrence, then it can result in loneliness.
A Growing Issue
Cigna, a health insurance company, studied 20,000 people in the United States, of which 47% reported feeling alone or left out. Studies in the United Kingdom and Japan have revealed very similar findings.
While there is no clear reason as to why loneliness is booming, one explanation highlights the aging baby boomer population. They have experienced more divorces and have fewer children, which tends to lead to loneliness in old age.
The digital age has also created generations of freelancers who do not have a regular workplace, one of the primary places where socialization happens. The cultural move towards getting married and having children later in life is another reason why adults have found themselves with a lonelier existence in their mature years.
Finally, social media, which was designed to keep us connected, can make us feel isolated and left out. When pictures of friends and family having a great time bombard us, we often feel a sense of dissatisfaction with our own lives, which leads to more detachment and loneliness.
The Effects
In 2010, researchers at Brigham Young University discovered that loneliness could knock 15 years off one’s life. This is the same impact as obesity or heavy smoking. Some other studies have found a connection between loneliness and health problems such as:
- Stroke
- Heart Attack
- Cancer
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Stress
- Drug Abuse
It’s important to remember that, without a support network, people are much more likely to develop unhealthy habits. These habits could then lead to a lifestyle that is impacted by disease or mental illness.
Combating Loneliness
Fortunately, there are several ways to combat loneliness. Some may sound impossible to do, but they aren’t, and the rewards can help you overcome your loneliness:
- Accept Invitations – If a coworker asks you to join them for lunch or a friend wants for you to tag along to go shopping, then accept. We understand that you might feel a bit anxious at the thought of spending time with someone or a group of people, but do it anyway. You have nothing to lose but a little bit of time and tons to gain.
- Make Small Talk – The next time you’re at Starbucks or your favorite bookstore, make small talk with the cashier or employee. If you’re a regular there, they’ll immediately come to know you and those small talks can become interesting conversations.
- Community Involvement – Keep an eye out for any programs that invite the community to help with an event or participate in a meet-up. This is a great way to meet other like-minded individuals who share similar interests in music, exercise, cooking, art, or something else!
- Volunteering – If you spot a notice or banner asking for volunteers for certain events, then do it. Many communities host food drives, ask for help at animal shelters, and so much more.
Feel Better with Our Help
While being alone can feel very comfortable for some, loneliness is another story and can be quite painful. We want you to know that there’s a way to distance yourself from feeling this way. At Rice Psychology Group, we’re here and ready to help. Our team will listen to your story in a comfortable, non-judgmental environment where you can open up about your feelings. We’ll do our best to provide some ways to help you get away from feeling lonely. Contact us today to set up an appointment.
