The World Health Organisation claims loneliness to have a lethal impact equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day . Loneliness is associated with higher vulnerability to stroke, anxiety, dementia,depression and other mental disorders.
WHO has addressed the gravity of the situation and declared loneliness a ‘Global Health Priority’ . The organisation has launched a new International Commission , comprising of 11 leading policy makers, leaders and advocates including Ralph Regenvanu, Ayuko Kato and more
The Commission aims at scrutinising the debilitating impacts of loneliness and addressing the latter as a pressing health threat to today’s generation. The Commission will encourage and promote Solidarity and social connections. Acknowledging the significance of building connections and the role that social connections hold in improving the psychological and physiological aspects.
Social Isolation
According to WHO , Lack of consistent human contact, having negligible social connections and feeling ostracised can have detrimental effects on human health. Loneliness and Social Isolation can not be used interchangeably as they hold completely different meanings. Loneliness implies the afflicting feeling of being alone and ostracised, whereas Social isolation refers to scant of social connections and having barely anyone to interact or talk with. It can lead to feelings of exasperation and anxiety in an individual. You can live alone and not have feelings of loneliness. Ironically, you can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely and socially isolated.
Why Is Loneliness Affecting Young Generation More Than The Old
A 2020 report unveils the pattern of loneliness at a workplace. 79% Gen Z and 71% of millennials consider and regard themselves as Loners. Moreover, a research published in the Journal of Adolescence reveals that loneliness among teenagers rose drastically between 2012 and 2018. The pandemic in 2020 gave every generation a taste of loneliness and social isolation. Based on a research from Harvard during Pandemic, 61% of American youngsters claimed to be lonely , in parallel to , 24% of Old generation claims ,to be lonely.
Serious Ramifications Of Loneliness And Social Isolation
According to Studies, Social Isolation is associated with 50% increased vulnerability to Dementia and other Mental Disorders. Premature death and suicidal tendencies are also a health risk of loneliness. Indulging in habits like over eating , smoking , lack of physical movement and living a sedentary lifestyle can immensely trigger the emotional health of a person. Poor social life is also linked with an increased risk in heart disease and 32% increased risk of stroke.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus affirms that the Commission will assist in establishing social connections and will share effective and promising interventions to combat the illness.
Tips To Manage Loneliness
Being more comfortable in your own company: Having friends and being surrounded by people will not ensure that you won’t feel lonely. Until you don’t enjoy your own presence and company , you’ll always feel deprived of a connection with yourself.
Keep Yourself Busy: Keeping yourself equipped with things to do will not let you have enough time to ponder deep into things. Free minds attract loneliness and depression.
Do not compare yourself with people:Seeing pictures of people socialising, attending events can put us in a trap of comparison which triggers the feelings of loneliness.
Take Therapy:Talking therapies can let your inbuilt frustration out. A psychologist can help you feel more light and less lonely by just interacting and acknowledging your feelings
