Half of Americans Feel Lonely and Disconnected

This is crazy to me – almost half of Americans feel lonely and disconnected.  That’s half our country!  That’s you or the other person in a conversation!

If you’re in that half, know that you are not alone (ironically!).  Many others are feeling much like you do, and they want to connect.  Reach out to others.  Call, write an email or letter, show up at a community event, join (and participate in) a Meetup group.  It’ is hard to meet people (and even harder to connect with them), but it’s so worth it.  (And it can’t happen unless you put yourself out there…) 

Consider your hobbies – a bowling league, a sewing circle, an exercise class, any class!, volunteering somewhere meaningful to you.  Join a support group.  Don’t just do it online (though that’s ok for a first step).  Go be with people – find YOUR people.  (They are out there.)  Make an effort.  It WILL happen. And it will feel so good.

Other things that can help you feel better (and build the energy to reach out):

Get plenty of sleep.  Adults generally need 7-8 hours.  (If you have children or teens, they need even more, usually 9-12 hours!)

Step away.  Take breaks.  Practice making time for yourself to slow down:  meditation, breathing, journaling, focusing on the good/gratitude.  Plan in down time and relaxing.  Acknowledge your own needs.

Be in nature.  Feel the sun on your face for at least 15 minutes each day.  Even if it’s cold or rainy, try to breathe fresh air – or at least look through a window.  Nature is a natural mood lifter.

Exercise daily.  This is about light movement of your muscles.  Gentle stretching and yoga are a good way to get in touch with your body.  This is not about crazy hard marathon training or beating yourself up at the gym.  This is about taking care of yourself. 

Likewise, eat foods that make you feel good.  Not delicious things that leave you wanting more (or feeling so full you want to vomit).  Eat slowly and really try to notice the tastes and textures. 

Have trusted allies (don’t try to do everything yourself).  Also, it can be good to have a support system that lets you complain, but make sure you don’t stay down in that low spot.  Consider ways to get out of it.  Ask for help.

Consider also that your employees may be feeling this way.  How can you help them make connections?  Could they need more time in their communities and with their family?  Could you provide more downtime for casual conversation with peers?  Would you consider hosting a social hour – during work hours – once a week or once a month?  What else could you do?  Who could you ask for ideas?

This is my source, an article in Camping Magazine, Sept/Oct 2019.