The Lonely Crowd: 40% Of Adults Go Days Without Face-To-Face Interaction

*Read the original article here: https://studyfinds.org/lonely-adults-without-interaction/

By StudyFinds

LONDON — In our hyper-connected world, it may seem like loneliness is a thing of the past. However, a new survey suggests that even in the midst of bustling social lives, many of us are struggling with profound feelings of isolation.

The research, conducted by OnePoll and commissioned by Zumba, polled 2,000 British adults and found that a staggering 40 percent have gone at least three days without a face-to-face conversation with another person. Even more surprising, 28 percent reported feeling lonely while at a social event, and a quarter have felt isolated at their workplace.

This “lonely in a crowd” phenomenon seems to hit young adults the hardest, with 60 percent of those between 18 and 24 reporting feelings of loneliness. Women were also more likely to feel this way than men (38% vs 30%).

So, what’s driving this epidemic of loneliness? Part of the problem may be our reluctance to open up about these feelings. Only 14 percent of respondents said they “often” talk to others about their loneliness, and 62 percent believe there is a stigma around the issue.

But keeping these emotions bottled up can take a serious toll. The study found that loneliness negatively impacts confidence, anxiety levels, and sleep for many people. Two in five (42%) said their sleep worsens when they feel lonely, and 29 percent see themselves as less attractive. Diet also takes a hit for three in 10 lonely individuals.

The good news is that there are steps we can take to combat these feelings. Forty-three percent of respondents believe that bonding with someone through a shared experience would make them feel less alone. A third said that being part of a community or group or achieving a personal accomplishment could help alleviate loneliness.

This is where activities like group fitness classes can play a powerful role. Psychologist Anjula Mutanda, who partnered with Zumba for this study, echoes this sentiment.

“Human beings are by our very nature social beings and psychological research asserts that we need to belong, to relate to each other and feel connected to other people – this is how we survive and thrive,” Mutanda explains. “Therefore, feeling disconnected or cut-off from quality relationships with others, can negatively impact our mental and physical health – something which has been highlighted in the research.”

Mutanda offers some practical advice for those struggling with loneliness.

1. Develop an awareness of any unhelpful habits that you may have formed whenever you have felt lonely. For example, jot down when you notice a tendency to withdraw from others and isolate yourself – when all you actually want to do is to reach out.
2. When you sense a downward emotional spiral creeping up, do something different that will help you to shift how you feel instead of leaning into it. It could be as simple as texting a friend or going for a walk – engaging in one small step could help you to take control and start thinking and feeling more positively.
3. Disrupt familiar and well-practiced negative thoughts you may have developed over time. For example, wanting to join a dance class but preventing yourself from doing so for fear that that other people may judge you negatively. Those pesky negative automatic thoughts (NATS) can really prevent you from reconnecting with things you love.
4. Engage in new activities, as this can help you create a more positive mindset and form new habits. Start small by doing things such as volunteering to do the coffee run at work or actively engaging with colleagues. Or, in your free time, why not look for local events that you enjoy, like signing up for a fitness session or joining a film club.
5. Sometimes, you can feel so stuck or overwhelmed that the thought of trying anything new feels too scary, and that’s OK. If you are struggling, then now may be the time to get some professional support to help you get back on track. Make an appointment to talk to your doctor who can help you to find the best resources for you.

“Experiencing loneliness can come in different forms and is uniquely felt by each of us, which is why some people can feel disconnected in a crowd, or disconnected within their relationships; while others may experience feelings of loneliness when they move away from home, start a new job, or experience a bereavement,” says Mutanda. “It can also affect your confidence and leave you feeling too afraid or too embarrassed to tell someone how you actually feel, which could potentially lead to a downward spiral of “silent suffering” and can really take a toll on your wellbeing. The good news is that there are steps you can start to take to help you combat loneliness, such as taking part in physical exercise, and reach out to others for connection and support.”

So the next time you’re feeling the sting of loneliness, remember that you’re not alone in that feeling. More importantly, remember that there are always opportunities to reach out, connect, and remind yourself that you belong.

72Point writer Lucy Brimble contributed to this report.