A powerful way to reduce your loneliness

by Chester Elton

If you're feeling lonely, you're not alone.

My friend?Ryan Jenkins ?researched more than 2,000 global workers for his recent?Wall Street Journal?bestselling book?Connectable: How Leaders Can Move Teams From Isolated to All In . His findings showed an astonishing seventy-two percent of workers experience loneliness monthly, and fifty-five percent say they are lonely every week.?

What makes loneliness such a tricky human emotion is that we tend to turn inward rather than outward when we feel it. Loneliness can make people less approachable, which worsens their loneliness. We've all seen that. Someone we care about says, "I just want to be left alone," when we know they need love and interaction. Ryan has a pulse on this "silent sweeping epidemic." He said loneliness is growing, but what goes up can come down, and reducing loneliness takes less effort than you might think.

As the co-founder of?LessLonely.com , Ryan encourages us to think of our well-being like a draining cell phone battery. You can't have a great conversation with someone just once and recharge them forever. The power source of our well-being is social connections, and we need meaningful relationships to keep our human batteries recharged.

According to psychologists, the best way to lessen loneliness is with “prosocial behaviors.” When we offer comfort, share with, and help others?with genuine concern?for their feelings and welfare, both giver and receiver feel less lonely. Loneliness is contagious, but so are prosocial actions. People who benefit from prosocial behaviors are a whopping 278% more likely to engage in similar behaviors themselves. The ripple effect is enormous. Showing care and concern for others will catch fire in your organization - leading to a healthier you, stronger families, more united communities, and a better world.?

Ryan says that gratitude is an extra-potent secret weapon in the fight against loneliness. Appreciating the kindness of people who offer generosity moves the emphasis away from us and our problems and helps us focus on others. It paves the way for a stronger connection with people around us. There are many ways to express heartfelt gratitude, and some, like a quick text or email, only take minutes.

Ryan shared a story of a busy professional he recently met who felt isolated and alone. This leader decided to email just two people on the team and tell them they were appreciated and why. After sending the messages, there was an immediate boost in well-being and a deep sense of connection. When we lead with gratitude, it protects us against loneliness and lessens the loneliness of the people we serve. Gratitude is the secret lever to alleviate loneliness and isolation; we must pull it.?

Like Ryan, I’m a big believer that meaningful relationships are one of the greatest (if not?the?greatest) contributors to the longevity of our species. Loneliness and isolation are the opposite of what makes us the most spectacular species on earth. People have a social muscle that requires social fitness. The good news is that we all have the power to improve ours by expressing gratitude to someone or something today.?What are you grateful for today?

Love and gratitude,

VANTAGE POINT WEBCAST SERIES

Join?Adrian Gostick ?and me on?April 20th?@1PM ET?for our?Vantage Point - A View From the Top?webcast produced by?Vantage Circle - Global Employee Engagement Platform .

In this first of six sessions, we'll share insights with top Business and HR leaders on how to devise an effective employee engagement program when the workplace is going hybrid. We'll share tools and techniques and explain how technology can help streamline and automate employee engagement programs for the hybrid workforce.

FREE Access Pass:?https://lnkd.in/d3t-uPbK

WE THRIVE TOGETHER

Join our?WE TRIVE TOGETHER ?Community! This is a place for leaders, managers and employees world-wide to discuss wellness in the workplace. This community is a great place to share ideas, ask questions and come together to address important topics regarding creating a healthy work environment.

ANXIETY AT WORK PODCAST

It's a proven fact that you can't be in a state of anxiety and gratitude at the same time! Each week, my coauthor and dear friend,?Adrian Gostick ?and I talk to some of the world’s leading authorities on mental health and explore the causes of workplace stress and anxiety, along with practices that are proven to reduce tension and cultivate calm. In the latest episode of?Anxiety at Work?podcast,?we spoke with Ryan Jenkins to discuss how gratitude is the super power for reducing loneliness and isolation in our teams.

THE BOOK CORNER

Please help me celebrate my friend, Marshall Goldsmith 's birthday by ordering a copy of his new book, “The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment” Marshall's work has changed the lives of so many people. Especially mine! Happy birthday Marshall!!

In?Connectable: How Leaders Can Move Teams from Isolation to All In, by Ryan Jenkins and Steven Van Cohen, you’ll learn how tackling the issue of worker loneliness head on can transform an isolated workforce into one that’s happier, more engaged, and more productive.

Leading with Gratitude ?&?Anxiety at Work ?are available wherever you like to get your books.?Visit?The Culture Works ?for free resources including videos, podcast episodes, and more, to help you build a culture of gratitude.