Loneliness Awareness Week, hosted by Marmalade Trust, from 9th to 15th June. Aims to reduce stigma around the natural human emotion.
The UK Government plans to implement practical, cost-effective recommendations to address systemic issues and rehabilitation of life for those affected by loneliness. Highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and support for UK veterans, especially those with disabilities or long-term health conditions, who are at a higher risk of isolation.
Who Does Loneliness Affect?
Loneliness is increasingly affecting young people aged 16-24, with 60% of people over 85 living alone, two-fifths using television as their main company, and over half a million going without speaking to anyone.
However, the issue is rising across society, with 45% of adults in England experiencing occasional or often loneliness, according to the Campaign to End Loneliness.
50% of disabled individuals experience daily loneliness, with 67% of Black, Asian, and minority ethnic people reporting feeling unwelcome. A 2022 study by HARTMANN found that 40% of young people experience loneliness, compared to 27% of over-75s.
Recognizing Loneliness: Understanding Your Feelings
Loneliness is a natural human emotion indicating a need for more social connections. It is situational, unlike depression or anxiety, and can feel counterintuitive when not alone.
Check in with yourself and notice your emotions with these questions:
- Do I feel like I am missing social contact with others?
- Do I feel like spending time by myself is a negative experience?
- How much regular contact do I have with family and friends?
- Do I have positive and supportive relationships in my life?
- How does contact with your friends and family make you feel? (positive and happy or saddened)
- Do I feel like I have lost my confidence and social skills?
- Do I feel like I have a negative view of myself and others?
What are the signs and symptoms of loneliness?
Loneliness can manifest differently for each person. These factors can include:
- The physical effects: Loneliness often leads to serious physical health effects such as increased risks of obesity, strokes, heart attacks, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. These health conditions often result from chronic or acute long-term loneliness.
- In the body: Chronic long-term loneliness increases unhealthy lifestyle habits, including poor diet, lack of exercise, and substance use. Leading to obesity, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, strokes, and cancer. The NHS recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, including walking, stretching, and stretching.
- In the brain: Long-term isolation and lack of social stimulation can lead to cognitive decline, memory loss, and neurological disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Regular social interactions, such as gardening and exercise, can improve brain health and reduce loneliness, as the brain requires exercise.
- The immune system: Chronic loneliness can negatively impact our immune system, reducing our ability to fight off illness and disease. Neuroscientist John Cacioppo found that prolonged feelings of loneliness trigger higher levels of inflammation, affecting the production of white blood cells that fight infections and other diseases. Therefore, you must increase social connections and incorporate anti-inflammatory foods into your diet, following health care professional recommendations.
Loneliness Among Friends and Family
As military duty entails frequent deployments and relocation, loneliness and isolation may intensify.
Even when surrounded by family, veterans may experience feelings of loneliness for a variety of reasons, such as the challenges of readjusting to civilian life, the effects of mental health conditions like PTSD, and the loss of the close social ties they developed during their time in the military.
Loneliness is influenced by the quality and quantity of social contacts and relationships. Loneliness can be triggered by emotional inadequacy or growing distance from someone. It can arise from broken communication, emotional inadequacy, or growing apart.
Whether you are still serving or have left the military, we are here to help and support you when tough times arise. We can assist service members and women with family matters, such as Divorce, Disputes involving Children, and Pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements.
Frequently asked questions:
How can I help someone who feels lonely?
You do not have to specifically ask if someone is lonely. Instead, ask if they are ok. Take time to listen to how they are feeling and ask if there is anything you can do to help. Do not always treat a lonely person passively: ask them to help or get involved with active tasks instead.
When you are lonely, you do not want to feel like you are a burden, or that someone is doing something out of a sense of obligation. Being involved in something like a community project, volunteering or even helping with a family dinner gives a person a sense of belonging and makes them feel that their contribution is valued. We all like to feel useful and part of something.
Is loneliness permanent?
Usually, loneliness is temporary. The majority of loneliness episodes are brief and can be managed by trying to create new social ties and strengthen those that already exist, Some people may feel loneliness on a long-term basis.
Finding new methods to connect with people might help reduce feelings of loneliness, which frequently surface during times of change or loss.
Can I use social media to feel connected?
Social media usage depends on how it is used and how much. Positively use it by joining online groups, building a network, participating in discussions, and finding information. However, excessive scrolling on Facebook can make users feel disconnected and replace real-life connections with friends. Passive use and comparison can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection.
Help for Heroes support:
Low mood can lead to irritability, guilt, worthlessness, and isolation. Help for Heroes offers courses that can help you understand the impact of low mood and depression on individuals and families and develop tools and strategies to improve overall wellbeing.
Courses are free and offered in two ways:
- Living with Low Mood and Depression: a group course run online via Microsoft Teams. Sessions are co-delivered by our own peer trainers and Recovery staff.
- Living with Low Mood and Depression: Self-Help Guide – an online self-help guide to work through at your own pace, any time.
What will I learn?
- How to live with and understand low mood and depression.
- The impact and effects of low mood and depression.
- How to develop positive coping strategies.
- How to manage low mood and depression effectively.
What is the course structure and duration?
- 1 x meet and greet session.
- 2 x 2.5-hour modules. One module per week over two consecutive weeks.
For more information on this course, access Help for Heroes Low mood and depression.
Further information:
Loneliness Awareness Week.
Living with low mood and depression.
Support for Loneliness and Social Isolation in the AFC | Royal British legion.
New research: Armed Forces veterans more likely to experience loneliness – Cobseo.
Oakwood solicitors armed forces legal support.
WHAT TO DO NEXT:
If you are feeling lonely, consider reaching out to a friend or joining a local group or online community. If you are experiencing chronic long-term loneliness, talk to your GP or health worker.
At Oakwood Solicitors Ltd, we are committed to supporting Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists, whether they are still serving or have entered civilian life. Proudly partnered with veterans’ charity, Front Foot.
Get in touch today for a no-obligation consultation, to seek legal support and guidance when leaving the military or still serving. Choose one of the methods on the right-hand side of this page or call us on 0113 200 9720 to find out how we can help you.
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Liam Hill is a Solicitor and Deputy Head of the Industrial Disease Team, having trained and qualified at Oakwood Solicitors. Liam joined us in 2013 after successfully completing the Legal Practice C…
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