Combating loneliness during the pandemic
Just like anxiety, loneliness is the enemy of productivity. It cripples the workplace, the body and mind. 2.6 million adults in Great Britain reported that they felt lonely “often” or “always” about the same proportion as pre-lockdown (According to April 3-May 3, 2020 Analysis of loneliness in Great Britain during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic from the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey). People who felt most lonely prior to lockdown have a higher level of loneliness now. The growth of the numbers began when lockdowns and physical distancing were imposed in the UK in March 2020.
Everyone feels lonely at some point but constant loneliness? This is alarming. According to What Works Wellbeing, loneliness can be social, where we feel a lack of social connections, emotional, where we feel like we lack meaningful relationships to the extent that we feel non-existential, or we feel isolated from other people. Even before COVID-19 reached the UK, loneliness had been recognized as an important issue, so much so that the government in 2018 appointed a Minister for loneliness.
We would like to share with you how to fight loneliness during this pandemic because you are not alone in this battle and what you are feeling matters.
Find others like you
With online platforms that help us connect to other people in different parts of the world, you can easily find people that share your same interests and keep you company. Having the same interests as other people is a bond to be shared. Meeting someone with whom you share your interests is a natural basis for beginning friendship, and meetings can be online, or face to face.
Consider going for a short walk
Being isolated in our house for months is terrifying which is why you can consider walking in the sunlight, it helps to have some exercise, as well as get fresh air and feel the heat from the sun on your skin. Of course, with your masks on and while maintaining a 2 metre distance from others
You are not alone
Even with social distancing, we have found ways to stay in touch. Call someone to catch up! No matter how you want to stay connected, hearing voices and seeing faces of your loved ones is a great help to boost our morale.
