What is loneliness?

Loneliness is the feeling of being alone, regardless of the amount of contact according to CDC.

Loneliness can be categorized into three broad topics, according to Hartman:

1) Situational loneliness occurs when changes happen in someone’s life. This can last for a very short period of
time or become a long term problem with long term health consequences (weaken immune system, heart disease, high blood pressure, strike, sleep disturbances, eating disorders, or any combination mentioned).

2) Developmental loneliness occurs when people feel that they are not developing at the same rate as those around them. An example would be if everyone in a friend group is married, except for one person. The individual may feel developmental loneliness, since everyone else in the friend group is married. It can be challenging to socialize or make intimate connections when we feel like we are behind.

3) Internal loneliness originates from within ourselves. It can be harder to make meaningful connections with others. People that suffer from low self-esteem and self-worth are more likely to have internal loneliness.

What are the impacts of loneliness?

According to Thomas, a recent report described the impact of loneliness and social isolation as being: “twice as harmful as obesity, and… comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic” (para. 2). According to Chen & Qin*, social anxiety is a high risk mental problem among adolescents, ranging from 27.2% to 42% ( p. 498). Adults know the harms of smoking and obesity, it puts into perspective that loneliness is an even bigger issue.

In addition to how loneliness is a serious problem,

A recent meta-analysis has shown that loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for
coronary heart disease and stroke.These latest findings, specific to cardiovascular
outcomes, are consistent with substantial research indicating broad health risks (eg,
immune functioning, cardiovascular functioning, cognitive decline) associated with the
quantity and quality of social relationships—including several meta-analyses
documenting mortality risk. Lunstad & Smith

The previous report shows how loneliness is even more harmful than obesity or smoking, but this report shows how loneliness is a risk factor to heart diseases and bodily functions. Loneliness can also impact how long a person lives. The health conditions associated with loneliness are heart diseases, bodily functions, and social anxiety among adolescents. In addition, these consequences do not happen immediately but over a period of time.

*The link is available to only Baruch staff and students

Ways to combat loneliness:

The following list is by Scott & Morin:

• Joining a club, where you have interest in, can bring a sense of comfort.
• Volunteering can help people find a meaning in their life, a reason to be alive. This can also bring happiness and
  satisfaction.
• During this time, especially with a pandemic still going on, talking to friends online
  is a great way to pass time and not feel lonely.
• Strengthen existing friendships, can strength the bonds that are already there.
• Adopting a pet or child opens doors to a new community that can help during times of uncertainty, it allows for possible friendships to blossom.
• Talking to strangers, there is a blank slab to work off from. The stranger does not know anything.
• Keeping busy can help loose track of time, instead of focusing on when the day is over.

Full paper here