Loneliness Is At An All Time High

Millions of Americans are beginning to work from home as part of the nationwide fight to limit the spread of COVID 19.

Such a widespread shift may exacerbate feelings of loneliness and social isolation. Americans suffering from loneliness and social isolation are 30% more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke than individuals with strong support networks, and all age ranges are affected.

Health insurance providers have been focused on addressing the effects of social isolation and will continue to implement innovative programs to support Americans during these uncertain times.

Younger Americans may be especially at risk to loneliness and social isolation as the transition to working from home continues

There was a 2020 study from Cigna found that 79% of Generation Z (18-22 years old) and 71% of millennials reported feeling lonely, compared with only 50% of baby boomers. And 61% of all Americans reported feelings of loneliness, the Cigna study discovered.

Successful programs range from making regular check-in phone calls to enrollees to utilizing technology like Skype and Facetime to connect individuals with far-flung family members. The goal is to increase an individual’s sense of connection with the outside world, and health insurance providers are investing in solutions that can be tailored to the specific needs of enrollees.

One of COVID-19’s harshest ironies: Just when we need each other more, we’re being forced apart.

Faced with the necessity of social distancing as COVID-19 continues to spread, Americans can take some simple steps to ameliorate their loneliness and others.

• First, spend at least 15 minutes each day talking with or writing to a loved one.  Just 15 minutes doesn’t seem like a lot of time, but when done consistently that small amount of time can make a big difference in how connected we feel,
• Second, find ways to serve others. “We can call a neighbor …and check on them to make sure they’re doing okay. We can drop food off to somebody, Facetime family have Zoom meetings.
• Third, We can write to people to just let them know … that we know, that they are going through a tough time and that we’re thinking of them. These are small but powerful ways in which we can seek to serve others.”

Actions like these can be especially valuable for elderly and those who live alone.

Such efforts combat the chronic loneliness that can pull one inward and insidiously chip away at one’s sense of self.

Serving others shifts the focus outward and reminds people of their own value and ability to contribute to the world.

 

So how do you deal with the isolation, or loneliness?

Feel free to comment below.

 

Thanks for Stopping By God Bless You and Prayers We All Remain Healthy

Deb

xx-o

 

 

Today’s Song

Hallelujah – The Rome choirs Lavinium and SingUp! are meeting virtually in this quarantine time to sing together Leonard Cohen’s Halleluja.