Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of loneliness among Americans was at an all-time high. In 2018, Cigna conducted a national survey involving more than 20,000 U.S adults, and it revealed that most American adults are lonely, and the younger adults are the loneliest of all. The 2020 Loneliness Index shared by Cigna shows that three in five Americans are lonely. Due to the mental and health risks associated with loneliness, these numbers are a cause for alarm. Additionally, in a society where social media platforms are sprouting by the day, most social media users identify themselves as lonely.

Earlier this year, social isolation regulations were issued to slow down the spread of COVID-19. It meant that people had to go into quarantine or self-isolate if exposed to the virus. A stay at home order was also issued to limit social gatherings in public places where the virus could spread. While these measures were to prevent the spread of COVID-19, doubled up with the high cases of loneliness in America, social isolation has resulted in loneliness, which has affected mental health.

This article discusses the signs of loneliness, and how to deal with loneliness

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Signs of Loneliness 

• Anxiety and Depression- Loneliness results in persistent worry and increased stress-causing panic attacks, fear, or feeling tense. Coupled with anxiety, loneliness can cause depression, which affects your mood and, in severe cases, could bring about suicidal thoughts.
• Behavioral Changes- An individual’s behavior could be more aggressive and irrational due to loneliness. Some people become incredibly violent and could be a risk to themselves or others.
• Sleep Disruption- Sleep patterns tend to change significantly where one either sleeps too much or too little. Disrupted sleeping patterns could result in losing track of time and decreased physical productivity.
• Declined Cognitive Ability- Cognitive functions are affected through difficulties in reasoning, decreased concentration, and poor decision making. Forgetfulness is also another sign of cognitive ability decline due to loneliness.
• Poor Personal Care- Neglecting personal care by not showering, poor nutrition, and increased drug use can be caused by loneliness. Living in a dirty and inhabitable environment due to social disconnect can lead to avoiding handling house chores and other house maintenance duties.
• Avoiding Social Settings- People experiencing loneliness tend to exhibit antisocial behavior as they feel disconnected from society.
• Feeling Hopeless- Loneliness causes an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness in the individual’s life as they do not see any good or potential in themselves or anything they do at any given time.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)- Veterans or individuals who have faced traumatic events could experience loneliness due to PTSD.

How to Deal with Loneliness 

• Seek Professional Help- Individuals with PTSD and depression can benefit from a professional therapist to overcome trauma.
• Make Meaningful Connections- Surround yourself with people that have a significant and positive impact on your life. These people should be able to help you whenever you experience feeling of loneliness.
• Use Technology Wisely to Stay Connected. Due to COVID-19, it is not easy to meet up with our loved ones, so technology and social media have been great tools to keep us connected. Use it wisely to reach out to people that matter to you to avoid feeling lonely.
• Limit and Schedule Social Media Use. As much as social media keeps us connected, spending too much time on social media could affect our mental health. By seeing how exciting other people’s lives are, loneliness might set it at any time. Therefore, schedule the amount of time you intend to spend on social media.
• Eat Healthier and Stay Active- Physical activity and proper nutrition can significantly boost your mood and keep loneliness at bay. Even when there is nothing much to do, especially during the stay at home order, you will look for projects and tasks to keep you busy.
• Understand Your Triggers- By being aware of what makes you lonely, you can avoid or limit anything that causes loneliness.
• Participate in Community Events- As COVID-19 measures continue to be relaxed in most communities, find meaningful events to participate in. It is a perfect way to meet new people and make beautiful memories.
• Companion Care- Consider a professional caregiver for companionship. They can also help in home care duties such as laundry, gardening, or running errands.

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