Humans are social creatures, and our connections with others enable us to thrive and survive. But sometimes, we may feel loneliness and isolation, exposing us to health problems like depression, cognitive decline, and heart disease. These feelings are widespread and can affect anybody-seniors, young, and in-between at any point in life.
According to a large body of research, loneliness and social isolation can seriously impact everyone, but our senior loved ones are more vulnerable. More than 22 % of the elders in the U.S. reported that they often or always feel left out, lonely, lack companionship, and feel isolated from others. The feelings are likely to affect their longevity, mental and physical health, and quality of life if not addressed early.
5 Strategies for Fighting Loneliness and Isolation as the Sun Sets Earlier
Loneliness and isolation can be caused by various factors and are likely to affect your physical and emotional health in the long run. Try some of the strategies from Senior Helpers Lexington, SC to deal with these feelings.
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
The first step to fighting loneliness and social isolation is realizing your feelings and their impacts on your life. Talk to your family, friends, therapist, or counselor. They can help you overcome the causal factors and help in building coping skills.
You can also check for the available Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Some employers offer this program to enable straggling employees to access therapists and counselors to help them overcome loneliness and isolation.
2. Know When to Disengage or Engage With the Online World
The online world is usually a double-edged sword. It can offer you convenient and non-threatening ways to connect with others globally to overcome loneliness. Message and chat sites and multiplayer gaming can provide different ways to engage and interact with others.
Log off or log on-which one is healthier for you? It all depends. Sometimes the online world can make people feel left out, inadequate, and more lonely and isolated from physical interactions. If interacting online makes you more lonely or isolated than connected, it would be prudent to log off and engage more in physical socialization.
3. Find Socially-Engaging Opportunities to Combat Loneliness and Isolation
Does interacting with people, especially new ones, make you break out in a cold sweat? That's fine. Loneliness and social isolation have a way of making interactions seem pointless. But sometimes you have to force yourself to do it. Working alongside others can help you reduce feelings of depression, ease stress, and make you more connected.
4. Join Clubs or Groups to Build In-Person Connections
Depending on your location, you can access various club and group activities, usually founded on hobbies or common interests. The members often meet locally and enjoy travel, entertainment, recreation, food, lifestyle, culture, and more. You can also find these groups through community resources or online based on your interest to ensure you interact with like-minded people.
5. Practice Self-Care to Combat Loneliness and Isolation
While connecting with others can help you combat isolation and loneliness, don't overlook the powers of healthy food, sunshine, meditation, proper sleep, and exercise. Sunshine and exercise trigger endorphins, "happy hormones" in the brain that elevates mood and make people feel better.
How Can the Senior Helpers Lexington, SC Help?
At Senior Helpers of Lexington, SC, we prioritize creating safe and compassionate environments to ensure all our clients age in place. We offer a comprehensive suite of programs and services in Cayce, Columbia, Irmo, Lexington, and West Columbia, all centered on individual needs and done at home to serve you satisfactorily. Contact us today to help us help you!