If you missed part 1 of this short series, head over to the archives to catch up on the discussion of this NPR article.

So, if the reality is that Americans are more lonely than we’ve ever been, what do we do about that?  My work with clients supports the research findings that feelings of loneliness and isolation can create mental health issues and exacerbate existing problems.

When individuals do not feel that they have close, meaningful connections with people who know them at their core, the result can be depression, anxiety, and actual physical pain.

Fortunately, loneliness and disconnectedness are things that can be solved.  It takes investment of time and effort, and may require you to step outside of your comfort zone, but opportunities to build meaningful relationships are all around.

Get out of your house.  The article discusses the finding that people who have more face-to-face interactions tend to report lower levels of loneliness and isolation. This may seem like a no- brainer, but many of us spend a lot of our time holed up in our homes, binge-watching our favorite shows and ordering online.  If something as simple as doing our grocery shopping in a store rather than using the click and pick up app could decrease our feeling of isolation, wouldn’t that be a simple change to make?

Use social media well.  We have the tools to connect with people anywhere at any time.  Use your social media to reach out and build actual connections with people rather than just scrolling through your feed. Be honest about who you really are so people can get to know the real you, rather than just your polished, curated aesthetic.

Engage. Whether it is at your office around the water cooler, at your church after the service, or at your local dog park with your furry friend, look for natural opportunities to engage with the people around you.  If the research says that half of Americans are lonely, then chances are the people we interact with on a daily basis are also craving connection and relationships. Don’t allow fear of being rejected, fear of bothering someone, or fear of being awkward stand in the way of getting to know the people around you.

Molly Halbrooks, LMFT