December brings holiday cheer, but while the next few weeks will bring families and friends closer together, others are left grappling with the heavy weight of loneliness, significantly impacting mental and physical health this time of the year.
Last year, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.B.A., published an advisory report on the country’s epidemic of loneliness and isolation, emphasizing the importance of social connection and the health implications that can occur from prolonged isolation.
“Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling — it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day,” said Murthy.
Loneliness can significantly impact mental health, often exacerbating feelings of depression and anxiety, as the societal emphasis on togetherness can highlight a lack of social connection for those who are isolated or experiencing difficult personal circumstances.
According to the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, social disconnection significantly increases the risk of anxiety and depression, including the increased risk of stroke by 32%, heart disease by 29%, and also dementia by an astounding 50% increase.
Moreover, rates of social disconnection and loneliness seem to be prevalent in Washington, D.C., as various data hubs including The Chamber of Commerce reported the District the “loneliest” city in America, with nearly half (48.6%) of residences being one-person households.
While living in a single-person household does not inherently guarantee feelings of loneliness, it increases the chances of extended periods of isolation.
Addressing Loneliness and Social Isolation
One of the most important ways to address the root causes of loneliness are to identify the underlying issues triggering the experience. These factors may include: stress, grief of depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
For instance, “loneliness triggers your body to produce extra cortisol, known as the stress hormone,” according to WebMD. “When the body is exposed to cortisol for a long period of time, it can cause anxiety and depression.”
Although causes of loneliness may vary from person to person, there are several ways to cope, including finding community with others who may feel lonely, phoning a friend or family member, or dedicating oneself to a new healthy habit or hobby.
To connect with others, websites like Meetup, or social media platforms like Facebook house pages of activities, hobbies, or general interests that can help you find other people
looking to connect with like minds. Finally, if you or someone you care about are feeling suicidal, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, offering 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress.
