Loneliness is the new pandemic – what’s the best way you can to manage it?

Millions of people worldwide were advised to stay home and keep away from family and friends when the Covid 19 pandemic began. This led to a new pandemic called loneliness.

Despite easing social distancing guidelines, mental health specialists report that levels of loneliness have remained high. People appear to be unable to emerge from their cocoons.

What should you do about loneliness?

When social needs are not fulfilled, loneliness, an emotional state distinct from anxiety or depression, is triggered. A 5% increase in loneliness was noted during the Covid 19 outbreak.

The increase was tiny, but it demonstrated that humans are very resilient. It shows that humans were at home for a long time and found ways to manage their loneliness.

Even though the epidemiological buildups are insignificant, loneliness is still a significant issue. According to a survey conducted by Harvard during the epidemic, 36% of Americans—61% of young adults ages 18-25—felt lonely frequently or almost constantly. This percentage is likely similar in other countries.

Who are more vulnerable?

Research during the pandemic found significant increases in loneliness among groups already at higher risk for it, including those with mental health problems and low-income individuals. Young people, who are usually lonelier than those in mid-life, were more lonesome due to teenage issues and confusion.

Young people may feel lonely because of a lack of social connection for various reasons. Older people develop better coping strategies throughout their lives to deal with stressful situations. Young people may also feel the pressure to build more extensive social networks—a problematic objective during an epidemic—or think that their connections are insufficient. This might be one of the reasons why social media makes people feel lonelier. When other people appear to be much more social than you, you might feel less satisfied with your social life.

An unlikely silver lining

However, a silver lining in the pandemic: more people are willing to discuss mental health. They recognise how loneliness might be a symptom of a mental health condition. The subject has been raised in media, research, mental health clinics, and conversations.

According to loneliness researchers, the topic has not been given the attention it deserves as a significant threat to general health. Because primary care physicians and even therapists rarely screen their patients for signs of loneliness, the topic has not received the attention it deserves. Even before the pandemic, things were beginning to change, particularly in some parts of the world. For example, the U.K. appointed its first Minister of Loneliness in 2018.

The fast-moving pandemic spurred these efforts to be fast-tracked. In 2021, Japan became the first country to create a Minister of Loneliness, following the U.K.’s example. The Joint Research Center of the European Commission initiated new research efforts during the pandemic regarding loneliness. In the E.U., Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and other public health leaders raised the issue of loneliness as a public health problem.

Christopher Mikton, a technical officer in WHO’s department of social determinants of health, is considering establishing a high-level commission to address isolation, social connection, and loneliness. It finally started to focus on loneliness during the pandemic.

The connection between loneliness and health

According to asurvey published in Feb. 2021, nearly a third of Americans reported feeling lonely for at least some time. Even though loneliness is prevalent, it is not safe. When chronic loneliness affects someone for weeks or even years, it may have severe mental and physical health consequences.

Many people acknowledge that loneliness affects our mental health and well-being. Still, few people appreciate its profound effects on our neurobiology, which, in turn, impacts our long-term health. Therefore, it needs to be taken seriously.

Numerous illnesses, including Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, as well as mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, are connected with loneliness. Loneliness has also been linked to cardiovascular disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, other chronic conditions, and cognitive issues.

What can alleviate solitude?

Finding the right solution for loneliness is vitally essential, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach. For example, while joining a social group might be a beneficial approach for some, it might not be appropriate for individuals with social anxiety or those who are introverted.

Rather than just seeing more people, developing deeper social connections is the key to overcoming loneliness. You may start by focusing on one relationship—with your sibling, parent, or friend from school. Work on strengthening your bond with that individual. Easing loneliness isn’t about having lots of people around; it’s about having a solid bond with them.

It’s vital to understand that loneliness is essential to being human. It’s a biological impulse that compels us to reconnect with one another. You don’t have to be embarrassed about it. You can distract yourself and enrich your life in the short term by getting busy or taking up a new hobby. You can nurture existing relationships, including ones with individuals you may not usually connect with. During the outbreak, people became less lonely after doing small favours for their neighbours, like walking their dogs or fetching items.

It’s time to make the first move when you’re lonely and longing for company.Helping others is one of the best ways to help yourself.

You may also contact a therapist and share your thoughts and feelings with them. It really helps!

If you are feeling alone or have any other issue that is disturbing you, call 9000850001 for an appointment with a therapist.