How to Prevent Social Isolation and Loneliness

No one wants to feel alone or socially isolated, but as we age, many of us lose friends and family and sometimes end up alone. Our social conditions significantly influence our relationships. Factors such as limited resources, lack of public transportation, absence of parks, or living in an isolated area far from the city can contribute to social isolation.

Many people prefer to live far from large cities, where there is a lot of hustle and bustle, so they decide to live in isolation, far from their families, which leads to loneliness. Studies show that this lack of social connection can negatively affect our health. People who live alone have difficulty reintegrating into the community and believe they are happy living without social contact. This is a significant problem.

Interestingly, social isolation and loneliness are not limited to the elderly. In today's society, young people, especially those between the ages of 18 and 22, often live alone and choose to stay home after work due to fatigue or a lack of money for leisure activities. This age group is considered the loneliest.

According to a study published in BMC Public Health (2023), loneliness occurs when we lack social relationships, while social isolation happens when we have no contact with people or are away from social activities. It's important to note that a person can feel lonely without being socially isolated or be socially isolated without feeling lonely.

The Surgeon General of the United States has declared loneliness and social isolation to be an epidemic crisis. The lack of social connection is spreading through communities, increasing the risk of premature death by 50%. The risk of mortality associated with feelings of loneliness and isolation is comparable to that of excessive alcohol consumption. Moreover, loneliness and isolation represent a profound threat to our health and well-being, being linked to various health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, cognitive decline, dementia (including Alzheimer's), and worsening symptoms for those with depression and anxiety.

This problem of loneliness is global. Studies conducted in different countries reveal alarming results. In the United States, 43% of adults reported feeling a lack of companionship, while 39% felt they were not close to anyone. In Australia, 17% of the general population reported feeling socially isolated, and in Brazil, 38% of the general population felt some degree of isolation (Medscape, April 23, 2024).

Loneliness and isolation are common experiences for many elderly people. Unfortunately, society is still not fully equipped to understand the aging process, often perceiving older people as incapable of functioning independently or as an economic burden. Society has yet to create programs to encourage the acceptance of older people as an advantage to society, recognizing the value of their wisdom to help in situations that sometimes seem unsolvable.

There is no doubt that loneliness and social isolation significantly impact our lives. The question is: how can we reduce this problem and improve our well-being?

Here are some suggestions to help prevent loneliness and social isolation:

- **Get involved in volunteer work**: Choose activities you enjoy to stay engaged and meet new people.

 **Take regular walks**: Engage in conversations with others you meet while walking; this can help build new contacts.

**Participate in social events and activities** to develop new friendships.

**Visit public places like malls**: These places offer opportunities for casual social conversations.

**Keep in touch with friends**: Regularly call a friend or invite them for coffee to maintain social ties.

If we want to live a long and healthy life, we should stay in touch with our family and friends and get involved in community projects, and participate in events the community offers to keep in contact and establish meeting points. It's important to understand the impact of loneliness and social isolation on physical and mental health. We must help each other to have a better life because we all have the right to be happy. If we take active measures, as demonstrated, we can reduce these feelings and improve our quality of life. By doing so, we will eliminate many health problems caused by loneliness.