MINNEAPOLIS — There are dozens of holidays, both religious and secular, celebrated between November and mid-January. It is a season of goodwill get-togethers with family and friends. So why are so many people feeling lonely?
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, nearly half of Americans say they feel alone and disconnected on a regular basis. The Surgeon General issued an Advisory this year proclaiming an epidemic of loneliness and isolation.
Loneliness by-the-numbers
Dr. Murthy says social isolation is a basic human need --- as important as food, water, and shelter. The Advisory cites:
- Only 39% of Americans feel they are very connected to others.
- 49% report having three or fewer close friends. That’s up from 27% in the 1990s.
- Average time spent alone has increased from 285-minutes/day in 2003 to 333-minutes/day in 2019 --- an increase of 24-hours day spent alone each month.
- Single-person households were at 29% in 2022.
Health Impact
The nation’s top health expert says loneliness has a profound effect on health and well-being. Dr. Murthy says the impact is equivalent to smoking up to 15 cigarettes each day.
Here's some of the other by-the-numbers effects included in the Advisory.
- 50% increased risk of developing dementia
- 32% increased risk of stroke
- 29% increased risk of heart disease
- $6.7 billion in excess Medicare spending annually
- $154 billion in employee-related costs due to work absenteeism
Technology and Social Isolation: Good & Bad
Smart phones, social media, and assistive technologies have made it easier than ever to connect with family and friends. Eighty percent of adults over age 18 say they use social media. For teens age 13 – 17, that number jumps to 95%.
Technology also has its downside. It replaces in-person contact. People are easily distracted by their devices thus diminishing the quality of the interaction. Social media’s dark side includes harassment, bullying, and creating the illusion that you are missing out on something big. The Surgeon General’s Advisory states “…participants who reported using social media for more than two hours a day had about double the odds of reporting increased perceptions of social isolation compared to those who used social media for less than 30 minutes per day…”
Expand your social circle
There’s a common saying that ‘Minnesota nice’ means being courteous to others but never asking them to join your friend-group, or, heaven forbid, invite them into your home.
Loneliness has many causes and can lead to many health problems. But a solution can be as simple as this: Expand your social circle. Ask one or two new people to join in your seasonal activities. Even if they decline, they will get an emotional boost from the mere invitation. It’s a sign of inclusion.
The Surgeon General also offers these tips for combatting loneliness.
- Answer that phone call from a friend.
- Share a meal.
- Listen without the distraction of your phone.
- Perform an act of service.
“By taking small steps every day to strengthen our relationships, and by supporting community efforts to rebuild social connection, we can rise to meet this moment together.” Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States.
Know Your Numbers
This information is provided by Health Fair 11 as part of its Know Your Numbers Campaign. Health Fair 11 is a not-for-profit organization that operates with financial support from sponsorships and grants. KARE 11 TV is its media partner.
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