Loneliness is on the rise, as a recent Cigna survey found that three in five adults report that they sometimes or always feel lonely. That number bumps up to nearly 75% among workers aged 18-22 as well, an age group that has seen rates rise steadily over the past few years.
With summer officially coming to an end this week as well, ushering in the fall season, it’s also that time of year when loneliness naturally increases.
It’s important to acknowledge these increased rates of loneliness, specifically due to the connection between that and mental health, as higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide are found among those that regularly feel lonely.
How To Help Yourself When You’re Feeling Lonely
Sometimes it may feel impossible to escape the feelings of loneliness, but these feelings won’t last forever. Additionally, there are a few things you can do to help combat the feelings of loneliness.
- Phone a Friend – This is a pretty obvious response to loneliness, but it must be acknowledged as well. Reconnecting with friends and family that you haven’t interacted with recently can be extremely beneficial for both parties.
- Go Outside – As hard as it may be sometimes, getting outside and enjoying nature is infinitely better for your mental health than sitting inside your house, especially when you’re feeling lonely. Researchers in the United Kingdom found that those who spent two or more hours per week out in nature saw a boost not only in their physical health but their mental health as well.
- Be Thankful – We still have over a month until Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be thankful all of the time. Acknowledging the situations and items that you’re grateful for in your life is a great way to increase positivity, and studies have found that exhibiting gratitude can help ease loneliness and improve overall health as well.
- Stay Away From Social Media – While social media platforms and apps can be a great way to stay connected with friends and family, research has found that limiting social media can help decrease loneliness and depression
- Get Your Nutrition Right – Loneliness can increase the stress and anxiety that you feel, which not only wreaks havoc on your overall mental well-being but also depletes your body of the vitamins and minerals it needs. With the link between mental health issues and nutritional deficiencies becoming more and more apparent in research, you need to make sure your nutrition is on point, especially during times of increased stress.
Although nutrition was listed fifth on that list, it’s probably the most important thing you can do for your overall physical and mental health. Adding a nutritional supplement such as Truehope EMPowerplus is one of the best ways to keep your energy, mood, and health on track in this regard. EMPowerplus is the most studied micronutrient formula in history and it is backed by over 35 independent research studies and recommended by doctors all over the world.