Building Community and the Loneliness Epidemic

INSIGHTS

We’re facing a new pandemic. No, it’s not another airborne illness — it’s actually loneliness.

The World Health Organization has declared loneliness a global public health threat, forming a “Commission on Social Connection” that will study ways to reduce isolation. This comes on the heels of U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy raising the alarm in 2023 about the harmful impacts of social isolation and a lack of meaningful connections.

Here’s what you need to know:

• It’s not just you. About half of U.S. adults experience considerable levels of loneliness, which can affect physical, mental and societal health.

• Loneliness soared during the COVID-19 pandemic — but a lot of people still feel lonely today, with 39% of the population reporting feelings of serious loneliness. That number dropped to 34% in January 2023, but it’s still high compared to before COVID, experts told USA Today.

• It’s an especially tricky public health challenge because loneliness is bidirectional — it can cause anxiety and depression, which can then reinforce loneliness.

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SPOTLIGHT

Why are Americans especially prone to loneliness? One recent research study’s authors posit a guess: “We think that the loneliness Americans are reporting compared to peer nations comes down to limited social safety nets and to cultural norms that prioritize individualism over community.”

If this sounds grim, all hope is not lost. Experts have proposed solutions — and there’s a lot you can do, too, if you find yourself feeling alone.

“Human beings need social connections to thrive, and being embedded in strong supportive networks can protect our wellbeing when we’re faced with difficulties in life,” said Dr. Olivia Remes, a mental health researcher at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom and the author of the book “The Instant Mood Fix,” which includes strategies for combating loneliness.

To see what the U.S. can do about its country-wide loneliness problem, we only need to look across the pond. In 2018, the U.K. appointed a minister of loneliness, and has since devoted resources to opportunities for community-building and volunteerism. One such series is called Glamor Club, whose members attend meetings dressed to the nines.

Here in the States, Surgeon General Murthy proposed several pillars of systemic change, such as:

• Mobilizing the health sector to address the medical issues that loneliness can spur.

• Strengthening social infrastructure, including community landmarks like parks and libraries, as well as public programs.

• Enacting pro-connection public policies across all levels of government, including things like accessible public transportation or paid family leave.

What can I do about loneliness?

First, acknowledge that this isn’t your fault — you aren’t responsible for this increasingly isolated world. But we can all do something to improve our communities and make the world a bit less lonely. Here are some tips for combating loneliness. You don’t have to do them all — start by choosing one or two that feel doable.

• Foster or adopt a pet. Pets can provide companionship, a sense of purpose, and satisfaction. Plus, there’s lots of community to be found with other pet owners. Posting about your cat on Instagram or Reddit and checking out hashtags or forums for your breed of cat, or taking your dog on walks to the park are great ways to connect with other pet owners, online or in person.

• Strike up a conversation with a neighbor and make an effort to get to know them better. Maybe this means introducing yourself (or just saying hi) and offering to water their plants the next time they’re out of town.

• Become a regular at a local restaurant, yoga studio, or coffee shop. You’ll get to know the other patrons and the owners or managers.

• Go to a community board or neighborhood council meeting. You’ll meet others engaged in your community and as a bonus, you’ll learn more about what’s happening in your neighborhood or town.

• Join an extracurricular sports team. Check to see if your local YMCA organizes pickup soccer games, or join a league through a city-wide organization like Volo Sports.

• Take a class! Whether it’s pottery, fencing, Spanish, or improv comedy, you’ll meet new people and expand your horizons.

• Be intentional about chatting with people during your daily routine. “Taking the steps to practice chatting with those you encounter as you go about your day can pay off. It can make you feel better, boost your mood, and even stave off loneliness,” Dr. Remes said.

There’s no instant cure for a societal problem like loneliness. But every day, we can each do a little bit to make our world more connected and friendlier, and less lonely.

BEST OF WEB

Resources for Loneliness

Here’s what we’re reading about loneliness and how we can combat it:

• Hinge wants to help solve Gen Z’s loneliness epidemic. The dating app company’s CMO says a new initiative — which provides grants to social clubs bringing together Gen Zers offline — could help.
  

• Can religion make you happy? As concerns mount over America’s loneliness epidemic, some religious leaders say their role in addressing the problem is as important as secular institutions.
  

• Is a dog or a cat better at improving longevity in seniors? It really has to do with whether dogs or cats can best relieve loneliness.
  

• If you want to belong, find a third place. Third places — tertiary institutions separate from our homes and workplaces, like churches, cafes, bars, clubs, libraries, gyms, bookstores, stoops, parks, and theaters — are crucial for community connection.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While the loneliness epidemic poses challenges to communities and individuals alike, it underscores the universal need for human connection and belonging.

It also reminds us that starting over, whether due to life changes or personal growth, is not a journey we need to take alone. Each new beginning offers opportunities to forge deeper connections, discover shared experiences, and build supportive communities.

As we navigate these transitions, let us embrace the hope that comes with each fresh start, knowing that reaching out, extending kindness, and being open to new relationships can transform isolation into a network of support and understanding. Together, we can overcome loneliness and create a future where everyone feels valued and connected.

Until next time,

Start Over Kitty & The Permission to Start Over Team

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