Loneliness can be a powerful feeling, and it can often worsen your mental health — especially if you have conditions such as anxiety or depression. Even among more introverted, quiet people, the need for connection is innate across all humans. Being deprived of that connection — or deprived of meaningful connection that meets your social needs — can be detrimental to your health. In today’s blog, let’s talk about loneliness and how it affects you, as well as what you can do about it.
Statistics On Loneliness
If songs and poetry are any indication, loneliness is a common human experience. And in fact, one in three Americans have reported experiencing feelings of loneliness every week.1 Furthermore, 1 in 10 Americans reported feeling lonely every day.2 Interestingly, in a poll about the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, 43% of Americans reported that their loneliness had not changed at all, while 25% reported feeling lonelier.1 Technology also wasn’t seen as the cause or exacerbation of loneliness in this particular survey. It’s clear this is a timeless issue.
Similarly, loneliness tends to happen across different age demographics, though young adults from the ages of 19-29 reported feeling very or fairly lonely the most in a 2023 Meta-Gallup poll.3 In the 2024 Healthy Minds poll, 30% of those from 18-34 reported feeling lonely several times a week or every day. The same poll revealed unnerving truths about the link between loneliness and mental health, showing that 13% of respondents turned to substances like alcohol or drugs to numb the feelings of loneliness.2
Loneliness vs. Solitude
What exactly is loneliness? Although it might be confused with solitude, they are not the same thing. Solitude is a state of being alone, which can actually be good for many people. As much as humans need connection, they also need time to themselves to reflect and rest. It is possible to crave solitude even when you have a strong social group around you, and it’s possible to enjoy solitude without feeling lonely.
On the other hand, loneliness is an emotion that often comes from feeling isolated or adrift. You may feel lonely when you’re in solitude, but you can also feel lonely in a group of people. Loneliness may come from feeling isolated not in terms of proximity to other humans but rather feeling out of place where you are. If you feel as though no one understands you or wants you around, this can create a sense of loneliness.
The Impact of Loneliness On Mental Health
Having a social support network is important for the mental wellness of every individual. Everyone wants to have people around them who love them, understand them, and support them. Without that, mental health may suffer. With prolonged loneliness, many people begin to experience a lower sense of self-worth or a feeling that they’re unlovable or unwanted. Loneliness and isolation can also exacerbate symptoms of depression, making lows even lower.
And then there’s the reactions to loneliness that may impact your mental health. As stated, many individuals turn to substances like drugs or alcohol to numb feelings of loneliness. This can lead to a dependency and addiction in some cases. Others might fall into a pattern of toxic relationships simply to stave off feelings of loneliness, and those toxic relationships in turn hurt their mental health.
How To Fight Off Loneliness
Loneliness is a natural feeling that everyone experiences at some point, but if it is left to fester, your mental health will suffer. Here are a few ways to fight loneliness and improve your mental health:
Make New Connections
This is the simplest solution, though not the easiest. Many people who struggle with loneliness feel awkward putting themselves out there. It can become increasingly harder as you get older and become busy with your own life. Consider finding a meetup group based on one of your interests or hobbies. This way, you can find other people who have similar interests to your own. Social media groups or even dating apps can also help you at least get in the habit of seeking out new connections.
Learn To Love Your Own Company
Sometimes you might want to be with loved ones but for whatever reason, you’re unable to. While spending quality time with others is always ideal, you also need to be comfortable with yourself. This is a problem for many who struggle with loneliness. When they’re alone, they begin to ruminate and they may turn to emotional avoidance in unhealthy ways to protect themselves from pain.
Instead, try to fill the time you have alone with things you enjoy. What hobbies do you have? What are some skills you’ve always wanted to learn? Look at those moments of alone time as opportunities to indulge in those things. Work on being kind to yourself when you’re alone. Give yourself grace and patience, and your own company may become a little more bearable.
Reach Out To Those Around You
It can be hard to form new friendships, but there may be people that you already know who could become meaningful, supportive friends if given the chance. Reach out to an acquaintance or a social media friend who you know but might not know very well. Talk to them about something you have in common, or ask them to hang out. You may grow closer to that person, and that can help to reduce those feelings of loneliness.
Then there are the people you already know and love, but because of the chaotic nature of life, you might not have nurtured those relationships in a while. It may feel awkward to make the first move at first. You may feel guilty for the amount of time that’s passed since you’ve spoken. But consider reaching out to them and asking to spend time together, or simply asking how they’ve been doing.
You can also work with a therapist on a goal to be more social or nurture the social connections you already have. Therapists can help you develop healthy coping skills as well as pursue your goals for a better life worth living. Rivia Mind works with a number of skilled and compassionate clinicians who are here to help. Contact us today to learn more or to find a provider of your own.
Resources:
- New APA Poll: One In Three Americans Feels Lonely Every Week – American Psychiatry Association
- Loneliness is Plaguing Americans In 2024: Poll – US News
- The Loneliness Epidemic: Nearly 1 in 4 adults feel lonely, new survey finds – CNN
