The Loneliness Epidemic

Loneliness is implicated in shortened lifespans, worsened physical and mental health, addiction, economic disruption and homelessness, among others.  Its spread constitutes a true public health crisis in the USA, and intervention is urgently called for.  However, at present, only individual efforts are offered as a solution.  Reach out.  Make sure your elderly relatives are getting a phone call regularly.  Join …

Loneliness

Loneliness is an important public health issue The American Medical Association has defined loneliness as a public health issue for all Americans.  Why loneliness?  Why public health?  Loneliness is found across demographics, at every age level.  It is not a matter of how many friends you have, rather, loneliness is feeling a lack of connection with other people.  You may …

Loneliness – A Little Attention Makes a Big Difference

Empathetic listening reduces loneliness Loneliness can be a serious problem, and is a risk factor for several illnesses.  Loneliness is implicated in higher rates of depression and anxiety, and with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, reduced human contact has raised red flags as a potential source of health concerns.  Especially among poorer and more vulnerable populations, loneliness is emerging …

Alone or lonely

Alone or Lonely

Why is there such a difference between being alone or lonely? Sometimes there’s nothing more desirable than to take a break from a good hectic and demanding life in order to enjoy some peaceful solitude. And other times the idea of being alone taps into a terrible fear that perhaps we are unlovable. Several years ago I was sitting with a …

Being Busy is an Antidote to the Terror of Being Alone

My attention was captured when I read an article that suggested that there was a common human experience that many people in our busy worlds find so disturbing that they voluntarily give themselves electric shocks in order to distract themselves from feeling it. No Time to Think. Nowadays, people can keep negative thoughts at bay with a frenzy of activity. …