Risks of distancing yourself from social activity

Spending time with family and friends not only can be fun, but research also shows it benefits your mental and physical health. Dr. Craig Sawchuk, a Mayo Clinic psychologist, agrees that socialising is key to good health.

Socialising is good for your mind and body. “We are social animals by nature, so we tend to function better when we’re in a community and being around others,” Dr. Sawchuk says.

He adds that people who spend a lot of time alone, such as older adults or new mums, may have an increased risk of depression and lower quality of life. You don’t have to be supersocial to see benefits of connecting with others.

“Just being able to shoot the breeze about certain things, anything really, can be a very, very positive type of thing,” Dr. Sawchuk says.

Socialising not only staves off feelings of loneliness, but also it helps sharpen memory and cognitive skills, increases your sense of happiness and well-being, and may even help you live longer. In-person is best, but connecting via technology also works.

This article explores the risks of distancing yourself from being social, some reasons causing loneliness or isolation and ways to overcome these feelings.

Risks of distancing yourself from social activity

Social, psychological and medical research has now demonstrated conclusively that there is a direct correlation between the degree to which a person feels connected to others and their physical and mental health.

Some commonly known effects from not feeling connected to others:

Generally decreased feeling of vitality, less energy and feeling tired more often
Greater likelihood of chronic illness such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.
More frequent bouts of sickness, such as colds or flu, and longer recovery times
Longer recovery times from injury
Regular feelings of loneliness
Increased likelihood of depression
Decreased level of happiness and satisfaction with life in general
Shorter life spans

Feeling lonely and isolated common among older adults

It is estimated that among those aged over 65, between 5%-16% report loneliness and 12% feel isolated. Studies show that acute loneliness and social isolation can impact gravely on wellbeing and quality of life, with demonstrable negative health effects.

Some reasons that might make you feel lonely or isolated:

Geographic isolation
Feeling lost in the crowd
Lack of close family ties
Living alone
Difficulties in meeting new people due to access issues, an introverted personalities, or feeling like you don’t belong
Losing a loved one or friend through death or relocation
Feelings of loss or grief
Poor physical health, frailty, mobility issues
A mental health condition such as depression or anxiety
Fear of rejection from others or feelings of being “different” or stigmatised by society
Inability to participate in activities due to access issues, mobility, illness, transport
Retirement from work, home relocation, starting out in a new role or community
Lack of purpose or meaning in life
Language or cultural barriers, or reduced connection with your culture of origin

How loneliness and isolation can affect your health

Being lonely has a significant and lasting negative effect on blood pressure and is associated with depression (either as a cause or as a consequence). Feeling alone or socially isolated for a long time can be harmful. You might experience physical or mental problems or do things that are bad for you.

Below are some signs stemmed from isolation and/or loneliness to look out for:

Physical symptoms – such as headaches, feeling ill, having pains, feeling tired, having sleep problems or lacking motivation
Mental health conditions – such as depression, feeling anxious, having panic attacks or feeling paranoid
Low energy – tiredness or lack of motivation
Sleep problems – difficulty getting to sleep, waking frequently or sleeping too much
Diet problems – such as putting on weight, losing weight or losing your appetite
Negative feelings – such as feeling worthless or hopeless or thinking about self-harm
Substance abuse – such as drinking a lot of alcohol, misusing medicines or taking drugs

Four ways to help overcome isolation and loneliness

“Social relationships are fundamental to our thriving,” says Louise Hawkley, PhD, a research associate in the psychology department at the University of Chicago. The fact that loneliness feels so uncomfortable is a reminder to pay attention to and nurture these relationships that can further your happiness. No matter how many people are around you or in your life, depression can still bring loneliness.

There are a few simple activities that will help avoid loneliness and isolation and improve your life. Start by:

Connecting with family and friends – visit, phone, email or use video technology
Getting out of the house – go shopping, church, exercise, join a club or enrol to a class / study
Volunteering – meet new people to feel connected and valued
Getting a pet – pets are great conversation starters. They can improve your physical and mental health

Read more articles on ways to combat loneliness and be more social:

Source:
– Lifeline. Loneliness & Isolation. Read more
– Social Care Institute for Excellence. At a glance 60: Preventing loneliness and social isolation among older people. May 2012. Read more
– Mind Health Connect, Loneliness and Isolation. August 2015. Read more
– Everyday Health, Major Depression Resource Center. Dealing With Depression and Loneliness. By Madeline R.Vann, MPH. Read more
– Mayo Clinic Minute: The benefits of being socially connected. Read more

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