- COVID-19 Loneliness Epidemic
- How does loneliness affect the body?
- How to turn loneliness into a valuable experience?
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More and more often you hear about the fact that the so-called "Loneliness Epidemic". This problem has become a major factor in the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. isolation, restrictions and he alth risks increasingly force people to spend time apart. How can you turn involuntary isolation into valuable experience?
COVID-19 Loneliness Epidemic
Numerous studies and surveys confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic is having a huge impact on the mental he alth of people around the world.
Isolation, travel restrictions, and awareness of the potential he alth risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection have made people anxious, depressed and lonely more than ever.
How does loneliness affect the body?
Loneliness affects not only how we think about ourselves and others. It also increases the risk of physical disease. A 2022 study found that loneliness was associated with a higher risk of dementia, while a later 2020 study linked feeling lonely to a higher risk of diabetes.
Another study in 2022 made a fascinating discovery - when we feel lonely, the same area of the brain activates that 'lights up' when we experience hunger. In other words, we feel "hungry" for human contact and, where possible, we will take steps to meet this need.
If people feel lonely, it can have dire consequences. In 2022, two meta-analyzes of more than 100 studies found there is 'solid evidence' that loneliness is an important risk factor for early mortality, even more so than chronic conditions such as obesity.
While the mechanisms by which this subjective experience may influence our physical he alth remain unclear, some older research provides clues and possible explanations.
Of course, some people may just prefer to live alone, and that's okay. But what if loneliness is not a choice but a necessity? What if we are left alone indefinitely due to factors beyond our control such as the COVID-19 pandemic? How can we minimize the negative effects of the resulting loneliness?
How to turn loneliness into a valuable experience?
See gallery 4 photosAbout the author
Marcelina Dzięciołowska Editor for many years associated with the medical industry. He specializes in he alth and an active lifestyle. A private passion for psychology inspires her to take up difficult topics in this field. Author of a series of interviews in the field of psycho-oncology, the aim of which is to build awareness and break stereotypes about cancer. He believes that the right mental attitude can work wonders, therefore he promotes professional knowledge based on consultations with specialists.