Opinion: Connect with others to help combat loneliness

We're working, exercising or just keeping up with household chores.

Some of us have social "appointments" where we meet up with friends on a regular basis.

Others may feel they just don't have time to get together and there are those that lack the confidence or are just socially disconnected.

Whatever our choices or reasons, our regular lives and social routines suddenly stopped due to Covid-19 social distancing laws.

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Whilst none of us question the sound reasoning for the implementation, we can be left concerned as to the personal impacts of isolation.

The collapse in social contact has hit hard particularly on our population's most vulnerable, older adults and people with disabilities or pre existing health conditions.

One group is U3A Southern Highlands which has over 1000 members (predominately in the over 60s demographic) and offers an average 70 courses per term. During Covid-19 restrictions, courses are either on hold but where possible, have reverted to online presentations.

"Lack of social connection has a significant effect comparable to other leading indicators of risk for early death," says Julianne Holt-Lunstad, PhD, Professor of Psychology at Brigham Young University. Feeling alone, she says, ranks up there with smoking, obesity and physical inactivity in terms of its effects on your health.

"At any point across the life span, the things we're most worried about is losing our independence, losing our minds and heart attack and these are all affected by loneliness independent of other risk factors," she said.

Humans are social beings and Coronavirus has threatened those connections. We have evolved to feel safest in groups, and as a result, we experience isolation as a physical state of emergency.

People who are lonely are up to 32 per cent more likely to die early than their more connected peers, research shows.

Pre Covid-19, one in four Australians reported problematic levels of loneliness, nearly half reported always or sometimes feeling isolated or left out.

Surveys have found young adults ages 18 to 22 are the loneliest generation of all.

Apparently, everyone at some time has experienced loneliness so the associated risks apply to all of us.

"It also sometimes helps to look at how we are labelling our situation," said Dr Carmen Moran Adjunct Professor in the School of Psychology at Charles Sturt University.

Dr Moran who has also published in the areas of humour and stress said, "If we keep calling it loneliness, we can end up feeling a failure, too removed from society, or missing out on what others have. Yet at some stage it just might help to rethink what is going on and re-label our circumstances. Why not consider calling it solitude."

Dr Moran added, "A period of solitude can be good because you can listen to the music you like, watch the old movies you prefer, and to eat your favourite food. Solitude can also be good for the spirit. It can give us space to think and work on more than the superficial. Loneliness can also be associated with unhappiness when it is too prolonged and too out of our control. But we can also take some control and re-label what we are experiencing as a period of solitude."

"One aspect that people might not associate with loneliness is sense of humour. It is easy to assume if someone is making jokes that they are not affected by loneliness or other stressors associated with Covid-19 isolation. Humour, of course, can be a great defence mechanism, but don't assume if people are making jokes or laughing that all is okay," she said. Dr Carmen Moran is also a presenter on Highland FM 107.1

Researchers have several theories as to why the socially connected may live longer.

It could be as simple as having people around who encourage you to make healthy choices, such as keeping doctor's appointments, eating right, and taking medications. Or, chronic loneliness could be a recipe for chronic stress, which in turn wreaks havoc on your health.

"Having close connections makes you feel safe," says Holt-Lunstad. "When you're alone, you are more reactive to the stresses in your environment, which can lead to problems such as high blood pressure or heart disease."

Highland FM and the Southern Highland News are aware of our strong commitment to engage, comfort and keep our community informed.

"The role community radio plays as a space for connection and community coming together is really being highlighted right now," said Jon Bisset, CEO, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia.

"While our listeners may be going outside less and less, they're still connecting to local news, voices and updates and being soothed with music and distraction through community radio and its enduring power to comfort the most lonely, the most isolated, and the most vulnerable."

If you are feeling sad and alone, know there are many ways to connect.

Young people aged between 12 and 25 residing in the Wollondilly or Wingecarribee areas and are having a tough time managing, should contact ReFrame Youth Service on 0455 104 104 or email: mhintake@communitylinks.org.au

For adults, contact Beyond Blue Support Service 1300 224 636 or Lifeline 24 hour support on 13 11 14.