Loneliness Awareness Week

Loneliness

It is well reported that feelings of loneliness can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or experience.

From meeting and talking with local people who share that they are feeling lonely, how support groups, since the pandemic have not returned, with many now being online and not face-to-face.

The pandemic for some increased feelings of loneliness and isolation. This was due to a combination of staying safe, not being able to see family members, friends, not being able to attend clubs and groups. Since the end of the pandemic restrictions, some people are still not leaving their homes. This could also be due to getting out of the habit of going out or due to emotional, mental, and physical health issues, or confidence and motivation.

Many people who are reluctant to go out since the pandemic especially those caring for someone.

Feelings of loneliness and isolation can affect us all, regardless of age. Research by BBC Radio 4, All in the Mind ‘The Loneliness Experiment’¹, highlighted that ‘16–24-year-olds are the loneliest age group in the UK’. Professor Pamela Qualter of the University of Manchester² stated:

The response to the BBC Loneliness Experiment has been significant. People have provided valuable insights into when and how loneliness is experienced, how it relates to age, being alone, caring responsibilities, employability, and discrimination. For me, the most interesting findings relate to the stigma of loneliness and the varied solutions people had to overcome loneliness. These findings suggest that we need to be kinder to ourselves when we feel disconnected from others, but also that there is a whole toolkit of potential solutions that we can try.

Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation are associated with a wide range of health issues – physical and psychological – as well as poorer health outcomes and increases in mortality. Social isolation can be associated with cardiac vascular disease, depression, and anxiety. As being socially connected is not only influential for psychological and emotional wellbeing but has a significant and positive influence on physical wellbeing. (Uchino, 2006, as cited by Holt-Lunstad et al. (2015).

Whilst the words ‘isolation’ and ‘loneliness’ tend to be used interchangeably. There is a difference; isolation can lead to loneliness, and for some, loneliness may intensify isolation.

Healthwatch West Sussex are hearing more stories of people who feel alone.

I am very lonely, before COVID I went out most days - line dancing, tea, and chat groups etc., but since COVID I am not going out. I have a few health issues - balance and stuff - but I feel so alone I just want to die!

The importance of Social Connections – our relationships with others, family, friends, groups, learning a new skill, volunteering, and other activities.

Spending time with the grandchildren or friends

This helps us feel we belong, we are not alone, and feel valued. Social connections can also help our health by lowering anxiety, and has a positive impact on our emotional, mental, and physical health. For example, having a conversation where we are being really listened to by someone. Getting involved in an activity or learning a new activity, skill, or volunteering. By being connected to others can also help increase our confidence, motivation, and mood.

¹ BBC Radio 4, All in the mind ‘The loneliness experiment’. Access via: https://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/education/research/impact/bbc-lonelin…

² https://www.seed.manchester.ac.uk/education/research/impact/bbc-lonelin…

Loneliness Awareness Week runs from Monday 12th June - Sunday 18th June 2023 maybe start a conversation with family, and friends about loneliness.