Loneliness: A Growing Concern in 2023
Despite the world’s overall emotional health improving in 2023, loneliness remains a significant issue, affecting more than 1 in 5 people globally. This troubling statistic, revealed in a recent Gallup survey, underscores the serious health implications of loneliness.
The Impact of Loneliness
According to the survey released on Wednesday, about 23% of respondents reported feeling lonely “a lot of the previous day.” Those experiencing frequent loneliness also reported feeling physical pain, worry, sadness, stress, and anger.
Psychiatrist Dr. Sue Varma, speaking on “CBS Mornings,” explained, “Loneliness is this feeling that there is a mismatch between the quality of social life that we have and the one that we want.” She added that loneliness can persist even in a room full of people, stemming from the belief that others don’t truly understand or connect with us.
Loneliness: A Serious Health Concern
Dr. Varma emphasized that loneliness should be treated as “a medical problem” and taken “very seriously.” She likened its effects to smoking 15 cigarettes per day, highlighting its significant impact on both mental and physical health. Loneliness increases the risk of anxiety, depression, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and even premature death.
Combating Loneliness
Fortunately, there are ways to fight loneliness. Dr. Varma suggested evaluating the quality of your relationships by asking, “Do I feel seen, validated, and appreciated?” She recommended fostering a range of connections, from casual “activity partners” for everyday interactions to deeper relationships where vulnerability and openness are possible.
“We want to have a mix of micro connections — talking to the barista, talking to your dog walker — but also deep and meaningful connections in your life, where you can feel vulnerable and open up to share,” she advised.
The Struggles of Young People
The survey also found that loneliness is particularly prevalent among young people in the U.S. Dr. Varma attributes this to misplaced priorities. She expressed concern that the pressure on children to succeed academically and financially is contributing to their sense of alienation and disconnection.
“It’s really unfortunate that as much as we want our children to succeed, the emphasis, I feel, is being put on academic achievement,” Varma said. “For kids, they’re looking at financial achievement and a lot of these goals, these milestones that were possible for us years ago aren’t possible for them, mixing in climate change, war,” she added, which is making young people feel “helpless.”
She noted that many young people no longer see friends, parents, or coaches as safe havens but rather as sources of stress due to the constant competition to succeed. “When I speak to high school students, they say, ‘I can’t remember the last time I did something fun, just for the sake of it, not for my resume.'”
A Call to Action: Prioritizing Socialization
To combat loneliness, Dr. Varma urged both young people and adults to prioritize social interactions. She suggested scheduling socialization “as if it was a medical appointment.”
“Your life depends on it because the quality of our life depends on the quality of our relationships,” she concluded.
References:
CBS News – https://www.cbsnews.com/news/loneliness-survey-how-to-feel-less-lonely/
Resources:
Very Well Mind – https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-cope-with-loneliness-3144939
HelpGuide.org – https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/coping-with-depression.htm