What causes loneliness and how to find help
February is finally here, bringing Valentine’s cards, candy hearts, and reminders of relationships everywhere you turn.
While it’s always nice to celebrate love in all its forms, for many people, this time of year can also bring up quiet feelings of loneliness. The truth is, everyone feels lonely from time to time. While loneliness can hurt, it’s important to know that there are many ways to help turn things around. Let’s talk about loneliness!
What causes loneliness?
Loneliness isn’t the same as solitude. Someone might feel a deep sense of loneliness even while surrounded by friends. Another may feel perfectly content spending lots of time alone.
Loneliness is really about a lack of emotional connection. We may feel lonely when we go too long without feeling truly understood, appreciated, or accepted by others.
Loneliness may be brought on by many different factors, changes, and life experiences, such as:
- Changing jobs
- Moving somewhere new
- Loss
- Unemployment
- Poor health
- Disability
- Seasonal fluctuations
- Language or cultural barriers
- Technology overuse
- Marginalization or discrimination
If you’ve been feeling lonely lately, you’re certainly not alone. Studies show that 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. report feeling lonely at least once a week. The winter months can be especially difficult, when bad weather often isolates us from social activities and opportunities for connection.
How does loneliness impact our health?
When loneliness lingers, it can have significant negative effects on both mental and physical health. Loneliness is linked to depression, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm and suicide. Prolonged social isolation and loneliness may also increase the risk for heart disease and stroke, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, and premature death.
In fact, in 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory declaring loneliness an urgent public health epidemic, posing health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
How can loneliness be addressed?
The good news is that loneliness isn’t permanent. You can take steps to prevent and address loneliness by building community and reaching out to others on a regular basis.
Some ideas include:
- Send a text to someone you haven’t talked to in a while
- Take a walk or hike
- Play with your pet or visit a shelter
- Join a club or group based on your interests
- Become a “regular” at a local business
- Sign up to volunteer
- Learn a new hobby
- Check in on a neighbor
- Talk to a trusted source, like a mental health counselor
Feeling Lonely? You’re Not Alone.
If loneliness has been weighing on you this winter, real support is available right here in your community.
Mental Health Recovery Board Serving Warren & Clinton Counties is your starting point for help, connecting residents of Warren and Clinton Counties to local provider agencies for resources and support.
Don’t wait to reach out for help. Talking about loneliness is not something to be ashamed of—it’s the first step to connecting and feeling better.
Need support now? Call 988 or (877) 695-6333 for immediate help and resources.
