Tackling Loneliness. Is addressing unmet needs the key?

Loneliness. It’s a feeling we all experience at times, but lately, it seems like it’s becoming more commonly discussed as to whether it is on the rise. Are more people feeling it more often than not? And if so, why is this happening, and is our reliance of online pursuits to blame?

The Loneliness Landscape

First off, some eye-opening stats. Did you know that it has been reported about one in four adults in the UK feel lonely some or all of the time? That’s roughly 7.4 million people. And it doesn’t just seem to be an issue for our older generations, young adults are feeling it too. In fact, a study by the Office for National Statistics found that 16-24 year-olds report feeling lonely more often than any other age group.

In response to this growing concern, the UK government took a significant step back in 2018 by appointing a Minister for Loneliness. This move highlights recognition on a national level, but what’s really up here?

Social Media: Connecting or Isolating?

Many people in this conversation talk about social media. It’s a bit of a paradox, right? On one hand, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X keep us connected to friends, family, and the world. We can share moments, catch up with old friends, and even make new ones. But is there a downside.

Research suggests that heavy use of social media can increase feelings of loneliness and depression. Why? Well, it is reported that a lot of it comes down to comparison. The thought is when we scroll through our feeds, we're bombarded a highlight reel of people having fun, achieving great things, and living seemingly perfect lives. So it’s understandable that some of us might start feeling like everyone else has it together, while we're left behind.

Moreover, online interactions often lack the depth and warmth of face-to-face conversations. A quick "like" or a comment on a post isn’t always the same as a heartfelt chat over coffee. Humans are inherently social beings, and we crave real, in-person connections.

The Impact of Online Reliance

Our growing reliance on online interactions might also be a culprit. It's so convenient to send a message or like a post instead of making the effort to meet up in person. While social media can be great for maintaining connections, it often recommended by many that it shouldn't replace real-life interactions.

However, it's not all black and white. For some people, especially those who are geographically isolated, have mobility challenges, or are neurodivergent for example, social media can be a lifeline. It offers a way to connect with others and find communities of like-minded individuals.

Personal Steps Towards Connection

For me, in periods of quite considerable loneliness, tackling it required a supported and proactive approach, often outside my comfort zone, addressing other areas of my life which may have been lacking. For whatever reason, social connection seemed to be what had fell by the wayside amongst work, being a parent and other commitments I held higher in the priority list.

As I started to fill my ‘social connection bucket’ back up with trying volunteering, joining clubs or groups, or simply making an effort to chat more with loved, ones friends and colleagues . Small steps started to allow the feeling of loneliness to subside, slowly each day.

Of course, for someone else, the unmet needs might be in other directions, but for me asking myself, am I covering all the bases that a human needs to feel well was a great starting point.

Striking a Balance

So, what's the answer? I guess it’s about balance, like everything. When it comes to Social media, I don’t feel it in itself is completely the enemy; it’s how we use it, and importantly educated on it I think that matters. Are we using it to enhance our real-life connections, or as a substitute for them?

For instance, instead of just scrolling and liking, maybe try to engage in more meaningful online interactions. Set up video calls with friends, join online groups that have in-person meetups, and don’t hesitate to reach out to someone for a real conversation.

Both online and offline, the quality of our interactions matters. So next time you’re tempted to spend the evening scrolling through social media, why not reach out to a friend and plan a meet-up instead? Your future self might just thank you.