Do you feel lonely? You are not alone, according to a new study
Older adults in the US continue to experience loneliness and social isolation, even after the pandemic. This is according to A new study published by the JAMA Network of the American Medical Association. In 2024, the survey found that of the 2,051 to 2,576 respondents included, 29.2% of adults aged 50 to 80 reported feeling isolated from others ‘occasionally’ or ‘often’ in the past year. Those who reported high levels of loneliness were also more likely to experience social isolation, and loneliness was most common among people who did not work, lived alone and those with lower household incomes.
Although some people need more social interaction than others, we are social beings. Losing a sense of community or belonging can have numerous health consequences. It is also a threat to public health, as explained in a 2023 advice of the Office of the United States Surgeon General.
According to the surgeon general’s office, advisories are reserved for “significant public health challenges” that require immediate awareness and action. Loneliness and social isolation were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the pandemic also shifted our focus to loneliness as a public health problem, the report said.
Persistent feelings of loneliness or social isolation can affect our mood and emotions, cause symptoms of anxiety and depression, and also increase our risk for other health problems, including heart disease and dementia.
“Loneliness is much more than just a bad feeling – it harms both individual and societal health,” U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy wrote in a letter opening the advisory. “It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety and premature death.”
In terms of mortality, or how something contributes to the risk of death, loneliness has a similar effect as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day and has a greater risk than obesity or physical inactivity, Murthy said.
There are many factors that can contribute to a person’s isolation from others or persistent loneliness. Some of those outlined in the advisory include shrinking social networks, increased use of social media and people feeling polarized towards each other due to different ideologies.
Feelings of loneliness and isolation also impact people unevenly: older adults and young people, people in poor health, single parents, people who live alone, people who don’t have as much money and people with disabilities may be at greater risk. according to the report.
A chart from the U.S. Surgeon General’s office showing how a lack of social connection can affect your health, compared to other factors often linked to certain health risks.
How loneliness affects health
It can be difficult to untangle the direct relationship between loneliness and health, because other factors that stave off the risk of chronic disease, such as physical activity, preparing nutritious meals and even making it to a doctor’s appointment, are often much more difficult. when you don’t have the support or help of someone else. The lack of access to healthcare can also have a greater impact on certain groups, such as the elderly and people with disabilities.
But loneliness and the stress that comes with it can also directly impact health. Loneliness activates the sympathetic nervous systemwhat it can lead to increased stress hormones, inflammation in the body and hypertension. It can also affect your sleep, which in turn affects your overall health.
Tips for finding community and feeling less lonely
If you feel lonely, you are not alone. According to the surgeon general’s advisory, about half of American adults reported feeling lonely in recent years.
Feeling lonely or isolated can stem from feeling disconnected from another person or community. Feeling “connected”. can vary based on a person’s life, but often comes from talking to someone and feeling like they understand you, having a pleasant experience with someone else, or doing an act of kindness for someone and feeling good feel about the fact that you were created someone else feel good.
To make more fun or meaningful connections and beat feelings of loneliness, consider joining a club or group around something you really enjoy doing. You can also join one support group – possibly even an in-person group near you through the National Alliance on Mental Illness. If you have symptoms of anxiety or depression, you may also consider therapy from a professional who can ensure your needs are met.
But it can also be daunting to make friends, especially as an adult if you feel like you’re the only one looking for other adult friends (not true). For tips on putting yourself out there, follow this CNET list of tricks that can make meeting like-minded people a little easier.
