The Unrecognized Epidemic of Loneliness and What to do About It
This story isn’t anything new or shocking. In fact, this situation is so common, it’s practically universal. How many times have been you too busy to meet a friend for lunch or a cup of coffee? Or even to talk on the phone?
Have you ever thought about what all this too-busy-to-keep-up-with-friends is doing to your health? To your career?
According to an AARP survey, the largest study on loneliness done in the US, more than 40% of people between the ages of 45 and 59 report that they are lonely some or most of the time.
I’ll repeat that number: more than 40%. That’s a staggering number. An epidemic.
Now consider this: the majority of the people who report being lonely are employed, most of them full time. Which means that people are lonely despite being surrounded by people.
How could this be? Why do so many people feel lonely when they interact with other people all day long?
Because so many of us are reduced to a voice on the other end of telephone, or a set of fingers typing on the other end of a computer screen. Our attention is trained so narrowly on the screens in front of us that we’ve forgotten the importance of connecting with others. Or, because our productivity is tracked by a tangible number, such as the number of phone calls we answer or (in my case) the number of patients we see, we aren’t allowed the time and flexibility to make connections. Not with customers. Not with coworkers.
The epidemic of loneliness represents a tragedy for the healthcare system, because, as I’ve discussed in my previous posts, social isolation contributes to chronic illness, which in turn drives up healthcare costs. And it represents a missed opportunity for businesses. As Gallup research shows, workplace friendships boost profits and employee engagement.
Creating a culture of social connectivity isn’t difficult, or expensive. And it’s more effective than gym memberships or wellness screenings which aim to improve employee health.
Next time you want to do something healthy for yourself — and something which will make you a better employee — find time to have lunch. Connect with a colleague as a friend. You’ll be healthier and more productive.
