America has a loneliness epidemic. You may have read this somewhere or heard it mentioned in recent years, but what does it mean?
In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory on “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” The Surgeon General uses advisories for significant public health challenges that require the nation’s immediate awareness and action, meaning loneliness poses a considerable threat to Americans’ health and wellness.
Researchers using data from VA’s Million Veteran Program (MVP) have identified results in line with this advisory: Reducing loneliness may decrease the risk for depressive illness.
The effects of loneliness and social isolation on your physical and mental well-being are serious. Here are some of the highlights from the advisory:
- Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, about 50% of adults in America reported experiencing loneliness.
- Lacking social connection can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
- Loneliness is associated with a greater risk of premature death than obesity or physical inactivity.
- Loneliness has a tough effect on your mental health and your physical health. Higher levels of loneliness are associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease, 32% increased risk of stroke and a 50% increased risk of developing dementia in older adults.
Just as the negative effects of social isolation can be serious, so can the positive effects of social connection. Having solid social relationships, feeling like a part of a community, and participating in social activities are all incredible ways to both combat the negative effects of isolation and reap the benefits of connection.
How to build social connection
- Invest time in your relationships. Call a battle buddy, get coffee with a friend or check in with a family member.
- Engage in opportunities to support or participate in your local community, like volunteering with community service groups, joining a gym or run club, or participating in a religious or professional community.
- Reduce things that can make you feel more disconnected from others, like spending excessive amounts of time on social media or in front of a screen.
- Ask for help when you need it. If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, let someone know. Reach out to a friend, family member, health care practitioner or the Veterans Crisis line by calling 988 or texting 838255.
- Find activities that make you feel connected to your social and physical network, like spending time with friends in nature. Did you know that Veterans can get a free lifetime pass to America’s National Parks? Visit nps.gov/planyourvisit to learn more.
Learn more about MVP’s research
MVP studies how genes, lifestyle, military experiences and exposures affect health and wellness. This research is building the path to more personalized health care for Veterans.
You can learn more about MVP’s research into the following and other areas:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders
- Suicide prevention
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
This research is made possible by more than 1,000,000 Veterans who have already signed up for MVP. Join their ranks by signing up today, either online or by calling 866-441-6075, to make an appointment at a participating VA facility. You don’t need to receive your care at VA to participate.
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Yesterday, at church our minister discussed this very topic. She has a PhD. in theology. I am in my 70’s and I was raised in a Protestant religion. She cited Ephesians 4:17 and 5:1-20. You can read them online. Life is about community. I am not trying to shove religion down anyone’s throat. But if you are lost or lonely, perhaps you were not raised within the confines of any religion. I suggest you invest your time studying religion. There have been times in my life when I challenged the existence of religion. And, I can say in all honesty it is not fake or a hoax. It is not a substitute for science, etc. Loneliness can consume you and it can make your thoughts stray to places your thoughts should never go to. In particular in the USA we have two generations that have been raised without religion. If you are lonely please reach out to a church or religion of your choice. You will find a richness that has been missing from your life and remember: your soul cannot rise to heaven if you do not confess your belief in Jesus and become baptized.
You have to have financial support to have a social life.
I am now attending a group called Connections Central. They have a once-a-month ‘storyteller’ for about 20 minutes, then we break into groups of 8-12 and discuss the topic of the evening, and then the moderators summarize the discussion. They also have small group meetings at various locations and you attend when you can. The small group meeting starts with 3 questions from the moderator and the group decides which (by a majority) question is discussed. Everyone is encouraged to engage in the conversation but it isn’t required. Everyone is given time to talk if they wish, and the moderator is there to allow all a chance to chat and keep the conversation moving.
Contact me if you are interested in more information. I have been asked to be the moderator of our Nevada State Veterans Home and I look forward to interacting with those folks soon!
“Go ride the bus and take your dog with you.”
Dogs inspire conversation, people with dogs on busses make for interesting conversation with a wide cross section of one’s community.
If you haven’t tried this, please do, I’m telling you. A great way to boost social connection and feel less lonely.
Tell others about this! I’m almost forty, living in LA and just realized this by starting to take public transit lately. So many of us go to and fro in our vehicles and don’t interact with anyone on our drives as we get to where we’re going alone. Not so on the bus. Please share the scoop!
SF
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It’s better to be alone than with the wrong people. Being with the wrong people can bring on more anxiety and stress and Trauma then just being by yourself
You betcha, Debra Castrinos. I actually enjoyed the ‘lock down’ of Covid! LOL! Never cared for large groups of people – ever. I work in the hotel industry but in the ‘back’ of the house so I’m fine with that. Even though my Spouse / Hubby of 15 years had transitioned to non-physical at the time I had no problem at all staying by myself. People of my ilk are far too few and far between so, I’ll keep to myself, Thanks!! I’ve never really been lonely. At least not in the way it’s suggested here.
I have anxiety , depression and Ptsd. I have submitted evidence to the VA…with little result and undergoing.
Ditto. In a city of 700 all 60+. and i’d like to start a family. it’s disheartening but I may try eHarmony. Not many options when you’re socially separated by distance, finances, time/schedules.
I found success 1 out of 5/6 tried thru Meetup, a social app, while attending a locksmiths club meeting in Austin. Great guys but some were x military who didn’t finish, or out immediately after their initial service obligation and kept wanting to hear stories. May help to not associate or identify as prior service.
Get with someone at the DAV to help you. I am a VSO and help fellow vets with that everyday.
Neighbors unfriendly. Church old doesn’t welcome people to come to their place. Widow homebound no family in area. Unable to drive to places! No taxis or Lyft in area. No medical transportation. So how to meet others?????????
The VA needs to develop small Video MOVE Groups for Weight Loss and Companionship. Video groups of less than a dozen people modeled after the MOVE program with a TWIST. A VERY Short MOVE Lesson topic followed by the most desirable part of the program…. SHARING and Bonding within the group. A one way MOVE Lecture/Lessons just does not have the impact that a Sharing Group has.
I was in a Weekly in person MOVE group at the Port Jervis, NY VA Clinic before Covid. Less than a dozen members including 3 Wives that bonded over time. I was the last member joining the group, it had been going on for years. My Social Worker screened me and decided that the Group would be a Good Fit for me. We Shared our week along with long and short term weight loss goals. Each week we would weigh in and share our progress, getting positive feedback and SUPPORT. This all ended with Covid and has not returned.
This would go along with the topic of building Social Connections using the Technology that the VA has embraced.