Social isolation and loneliness health risk
is equal to smoking 15 cigarettes each day
Almost half of all women over the age of 75 live alone.
Loneliness causes physical and mental decline.
Social isolation and loneliness health risk
is equal to smoking 15 cigarettes each day
Almost half of all women over the age of 75 live alone. Loneliness causes physical and mental decline.
Social isolation can lead to physical and mental decline.
It’s important to remember that feeling lonely is a normal human experience, it’s something that many people go through. It’s also important to understand that loneliness is not a permanent state, it can change, and it’s possible to overcome it. With time and effort, you can build a support system of friends and loved ones who will be there for you.
Researchers followed the same older adults for years. to uncover the impact of social isolation. They discovered the percentage of seniors reporting being lonely increased over time. The same people reporting as lonely had declining abilities to perform Activities of Daily Living and increase in depression symptoms. One major contribution is this senior adult loneliness is the death of or distance from family and friends.
500k+
older women today are severely lonely
4
risk factors: genetics, death, conflict, abuse
41.7%
magnitude of depression among the elderly
1st Step
Stay Connected
Reach out to family and friends who can give you encouraging feedback and provide you an honest, fresh perspective. Even though you may feel like withdrawing, calling a friend or getting out to socialize can boost your mood and outlook.
2nd Step
Engage in Activities
Engage in activities that you enjoy and make you feel good. A healthy mind also means a healthy body, make choices that take care of both. Remember that people around you want to help.
3rd Step
Set Goals
If you’re beginning the road to recovery, start small. For instance, get out of bed by a certain time, or plan a household chore… or even call a friend.
Notes from the Author
Tackling the Next Epidemic Now
More stories are emerging about the next crisis to hit us, mental health issues. Our bubble existence can lead many of us down the wrong path. Isolation can lead to loneliness that leads to depression which intensifies with other chronic conditions and limitations that make life hard.
The emerging mental health epidemic needs our attention. We need to identify and treat the symptoms before it is too late. Here are some recommendations for you and my own attempts at using them.
Turn Off the Bad News
I admit I can get sucked into Breaking News headlines. I feel like Pavlov’s dog when the large red and black letters with urgent music captures my attention. That instant gratification of knowing the breaking news gets me, however, it dulls my sense of optimism with all the tragic messages. I am replacing this with a book, podcast, music and brain games that fill my head with hopeful thoughts.
Catch Some Rays
Take deep breaths of the new air outside. Spring is here. Look for signs of new life. No doubt social distancing is essential while outdoors so keep a safe space around you. I feel like the bear coming from hibernation when I step out of my cave and into the bright sun.
Cultivate Trust Relationships
Trust relationships are key to mental health. I recommend you find your sounding board where you can unload the unspoken anxieties that are building up right now.
Audit Your Daily Routine
Most of us have moved our work from the office to home, school to home, gym to home and the list goes on and on. New responsibilities are becoming part of our daily routines. These are big changes to the rhythm of life. How are you coping? Do you feel accountable for your actions now that no one is watching? I can admit it. I have slipped. I can rationalize my shortcoming to myself and get away with it. I think I need to do a time study and have a meeting with human resources (my sarcasm lives on).
Life is Heavy, Good Grief
Do you feel it? Many of us are experiencing loss right now. Grief is overwhelming many aspects of our lives: emotional, physical, financial, social and spiritual. This is the black hole of life right now. The vortex is so strong. You are not alone if you are feeling its gravitational pull. There are no easy answers or quick escapes from this. Please reach out for help. Loneliness is the energy that feeds the intensity this black hole. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Monica Stynchula – CEO / REUNIONCare, Inc.
