Let's Talk About Loneliness

Loneliness is a real thing. 

And it’s a growing public health concern worldwide. 

According to a global survey, about 33 percent of adults experienced feelings of loneliness worldwide. 

A new survey from Ipsos shows how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected mental wellbeing, community support, and loneliness around the world.

• Globally, two in five people (41%) report becoming lonelier over the last 6 months, while one in five (19%) have become less lonely.
• Countries where the highest proportions of people have become lonelier include: Turkey (54%), Brazil (52%), Belgium (51%), Canada (50%) and Great Britain (49%).
• People in Turkey were also the most likely to disagree their local community has become more supportive over the last 6 months (47%).
• Countries where the smallest proportions of people say they've become lonelier include Malaysia (35%), Poland (34%), Russia (28%), China (26%) and Japan (23%).

Here are some more stats on loneliness  focused on Americans:

• 36% of Americans say they’ve felt more lonely than usual during the pandemic. 50% say there has been no significant impact, and 9% say they’ve felt less lonely than usual.[6] (US, YouGov, 2021)
• 34% of millennials always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 27% percent of Gen Z always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 22% percent of Gen X always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)
• 20% percent of Baby boomers always or often feel more lonely because of the coronavirus situation.[7] (SocialPro, April 24, 2020)

Even though these stats illustrate a growing health concern with the epidemic of Loneliness, most of us don’t even realize that we’re feeling lonely.  In episode 17, I will describe ways that loneliness is felt but perhaps not named.

At the end of this episode you will learn 3 tips on how to better manage loneliness:
1. Name it
2. Practice grounding techniques
3. Create small actionable steps to engage in micro social interactions

Let’s start naming loneliness together and talk more about it  so that we can feel a little less alone.

Follow me for more info on Loneliness, Mental Health, and Well-Being on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drsylviak/