Battling Loneliness in the Time of COVID-19
Social distancing and self-isolation are two causes of the types of loneliness many of us are experiencing these days. You might find yourself lonely while working from home without colleagues, or you might also find yourself lonely without the loved ones you would normally be seeing. You might also be noticing more general signs of loneliness in your day-to-day life.
Whether your loneliness is situational or chronic, current conditions might have you searching online for loneliness articles or tips for overcoming loneliness.
The truth is that loneliness is a kind of epidemic all its own that has been impacting people well before the coronavirus crisis. The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted loneliness as a problem for many people that can lead to mental health concerns.
In this post, we will discuss tips for coping with loneliness during the time of coronavirus and beyond.
This post will offer the following:
Discussion of loneliness as a complex emotion
How the COVID-19 crisis impacts the experience of loneliness
Tips for overcoming loneliness
How AICC can help
Loneliness is a Complex Emotion
Loneliness is usually a quiet problem, one our society rarely acknowledges due to the stigma surrounding it. People often feel uncomfortable discussing feelings of loneliness with others. Loneliness can trigger emotions like shame and sadness.
According to Psychology Today, “Feelings of loneliness and isolation affect all types and ages of people, although some, like adolescents, are more likely to be impacted than others. The elderly are also at high risk. Research indicates that more than 20 percent of people over age 60 frequently feel intensely lonely.”
This intense loneliness is a cause for concern as it can impact an individual’s mental health and emotional well-being.
According to the Crisis Text Line’s website, intense loneliness might include signs like:
Low energy or brain fog
Sleep problems (including difficulty with falling asleep or problems staying)
Lack of interest in food
Drinking more or using drugs
Feeling hopeless, worthless, or increased feelings of depression
Increased feelings of anxiety
Getting sick more often
Physical aches and pains including headaches, migraines, stomach aches, or muscle tension
Excess shopping or increased attachment to material things
Binge-watching television
Some of these behaviors can be symptomatic of other mental health concerns, so you should speak to your doctor if you are experiencing them on a regular basis.
Loneliness can also be expressed beyond behavior and can feel more like physical pain.
Psychology Today reports that “Suffering from loneliness is somewhat like suffering from physical pain: In one study, brain scans of lonely individuals who received a dose of Tylenol showed reduced activity in pain-processing areas of the brain. In addition, loneliness can heighten the fight-or-flight response—the physiological reaction a person has when facing a threat.”
Loneliness can feel frightening, threatening, and physically painful.
Loneliness and COVID-19
Even before the coronavirus outbreak, scientists were noting trends and patterns that suggested a "loneliness epidemic" across our nation.
According to Good Housekeeping, “in a 2018 survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), experts discovered that about 22% of Americans say they constantly feel alone. Such prolonged feelings of isolation can come with serious health problems, both mental and physical.”
Anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts are some of the dangers of chronic loneliness. The isolation of quarantine and social distancing can cause these symptoms to worsen.
During this time, it is important to check on those in your life who might be experiencing loneliness. Or, if you are the person feeling lonely, let a trusted loved one or medical professional know.
"We tend to stigmatize loneliness in the U.S., equating it with being a loner or a loser," says Kory Floyd, Professor of Communication and Psychology at the University of Arizona. "That stigma encourages us to avoid admitting when we're lonely. Denying our loneliness only perpetuates it, so before we can recover, we have to be honest — at least with ourselves — about what we are experiencing."
Tips for Dealing with Loneliness during COVID-19
Tips for coping with loneliness such as joining a club or getting out into the community do not apply during these strange and unprecedented times because of the need for social distancing in order to flatten the curve of the virus.
While this can feel frustrating and sad, there are some things you can do to cope with loneliness during social distancing/self-isolation.
Consider the following:
Stick to a schedule to make your day feel more normal
Keep a journal of how you’re feeling
Stay informed through credible sources such as the CDC
Stay active and get some exercise
Connect with others using technology such as Skype and Zoom
Do something meaningful, such as taking an online class or becoming an online volunteer
Limit social media
Find sources of comfort
Create something
Plan for the future
Find healthy distractions
How AICC Can Help
Whether your loneliness is situational due to COVID-19 or a chronic feeling you experience everyday, Atlanta Innovative Counseling Center is here to help.
We are a team of highly-trained and experienced therapists ready to help you feel power over your loneliness. Please consider reaching out to us to discuss your path toward overcoming loneliness and finding fulfillment. We offer telemental health counseling options to meet your needs during this time. We hope to hear from you soon!