Small Actions to Ease Holiday Loneliness
For many of us, the holiday season is a season of “too much,” including too much socializing with family, friends, and colleagues. This abundance of social activity can be exhausting, especially for introverts. Yet the opposite is also true: in the United States this holiday season, 1 in 3 people are lonely.
How Loneliness Affects Us
Loneliness stems from a gap between desired and actual social connections, influenced by factors like geographic isolation, health issues, or social anxiety. Our evolutionary history shows that social bonds are essential for survival, so?loneliness can trigger a stress response like feeling constantly threatened. Loneliness negatively?impacts our health, putting us at greater risk?of heart disease, dementia, depression, and premature death.
The Epidemic of Loneliness
In May 2023, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murphy issued an advisory highlighting the severe health implications of an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation.” Dr. Murthy compared the health risks associated with loneliness to smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily.?
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Small Actions Matter
On a large scale, Dr. Murphy has outlined a National Strategy to Advance Social Connection to restore social bonds and combat this growing public health challenge. On a small scale, there are actions you can take every day to help people feel cared about. The first is paying attention when you’re with someone else, not distracted by phones or multi-tasking.
I love this quote from Zen Buddhist teacher John Tarrant:
Attention is the most basic form of love.
By fully paying attention to someone or something, you express love towards them, even at the most fundamental level.
Another way to show support is through a small gesture of kindness that lets someone know they are valued and cared for. We’re all caught up in the season’s busyness, but being kind doesn’t take long. It simply takes a little thought. Write a card, send a text, make a call, or even ask for some advice. Think, “Who might like to hear from me today?”