For the past couple months I have focused the At Peace blog toward understanding the importance of helping others who are experiencing loss in their life. I hope readers received something helpful in the posts.
This week I have received some big-time help in the effort. On May 2, 2023 our Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, declared loneliness as the latest public health epidemic. I was pleased to see such a prominent person taking part on this platform.
Dr. Murthy released an 81-page report related to the impact of loneliness in our country. He stated that “About half of U.S. adults say they have experienced loneliness.” That experience he says, “poses health risks as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes daily.” Recognition of this epidemic became obvious during the pandemic when so many of us were isolating, but many people still remain in isolation.
The deaths of 1.12 million people in the United States from COVID brought about what I would call a pandemic of grief for the loved ones and friends of those who died. Clearly, this event has produced considerable loneliness due to the losses. But, as I have written for almost three years now, people experienced many losses beyond deaths of family members.
Great numbers of people worked at home and, as a result, experienced the loss of work friends. Nursing homes shutdown, visits were blocked, and folks who were already lonely became more so. According to Dr. Murthy, “Loneliness increases the risk of premature death by nearly 30%.” His report reveals a greater risk of stroke and heart disease for those with poor social relationships. I would add that the impact of loneliness contributes to anxiety and depression as well.
The lonely older people challenge is a concern but the report shows young people are especially impacted by isolation. According to the Surgeon General’s report, “the 15 -to-24 age group reported a 70% drop in time spent with friends.” The rise of technology use exclusively for communication adds to the isolation. The report says that Americans spend about 20 minutes a day in face-to-face communication compared to 60 minutes in 2020.
I listened to a wonderful podcast with Dr. Murthy recently. He discussed four simple steps for improved human connection:
- Spend just 15 minutes visiting or calling people you don’t live with. Consider it a “thinking of you” session.
- Give people your complete attention (see several of my past few blogs concerning listening skills).
- Find opportunities to serve others, thus bringing value to the world.
- Solitude – it is important to allow the noise of the world to settle. Prayer, music and attention to nature helps to keep our lives together for others.
The Surgeon General encourages individuals, houses of worship, workplaces, health systems, and community organizations to increase connectedness among people across the country. These efforts help us practice the core values of kindness (see earlier blog on this topic), respect, and commitment to one another.
May you be At Peace.
At Peace 