Loneliness Epidemic

[Black Orchid]

May 4, 2018 -- “The social media paradox”: Pop psychologists have coined the term to describe how social media have allowed us to become more connected to other people than at any time in history -- and yet many Americans report feeling more lonely and isolated than ever before.

A new study out this month has thrown a spotlight on the emerging public health issue, suggesting Facebook and other Web-based communities -- as well as other things in modern life -- are boosting levels of loneliness that are undermining the nation’s mental and physical health.

The survey, conducted by the health insurer Cigna, found widespread loneliness, with nearly half of Americans reporting they feel alone, isolated, or left out at least some of the time. The nation’s 75 million millennials (ages 23-37) and Generation Z adults (18-22) are lonelier than any other U.S. demographic and report being in worse health than older generations.

In addition, 54% of respondents said they feel no one knows them well, and four in 10 reported they "lack companionship," their "relationships aren't meaningful" and they "are isolated from others."

Douglas Nemecek, MD, Cigna’s chief medical officer for behavioral health, said the findings of the study suggest that the problem has reached “epidemic” proportions, rivaling the risks posed by tobacco and the nation’s ever-expanding waistline.

https://www.webmd.com/balance/news/2018 ... ealth-risk

[Black Orchid]

In news that is depressing and yet not entirely surprising, a new survey of 20,000 Americans has revealed that young people are a lot more likely to report being lonely than senior citizens. For Gen Z (18 to 22), the score was in fact highest, with loneliness scores of around 48, while people over 72 were reporting a score of around 39. And even more drastically, it turns out that loneliness has the same effect on mortality as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, making it even more dangerous than obesity

https://i-d.vice.com/en_au/article/ywxy ... ttes-a-day

[cods]

that sounds like NOT A FRIEND IN THE WORLD..

I find that hard to believe to be honest....

I dont get out much mainly because I dont want too...but it does mean I spend a fair
bit of the day on my own.......not sure if that makes me lonely though...

what do you think black orchid???.....I have never thought of myself as lonely...

[Black Orchid]

Don't mistake loneliness for being alone. They are quite different. You can be surrounded by people and still be lonely OR you can choose to be alone and not feel lonely.

They say that loneliness is just as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.

Lonely people are 50% more likely to die prematurely than those with healthy social relationships. Loneliness can reduce your immunity and thus expose you to risk of disease. It can also lead to inflammation of the heart. Stress is a major killer and much more likely if you are lonely.

Quality of those we surround ourselves with is always better than quantity.

So is social media adding to the loneliness some people suffer? Does it increase loneliness? Studies have shown that there is a link between social media and loneliness. Are our children setting themselves up for a fall by using social media in the wrong way?

Studies suggest that using Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and similar social media apps to keep in touch with friends and forge off-line connections can add vitality and communion to your life. But if you are spending hours every day using social media mainly as a substitute for real connection, your feelings of loneliness and inadequacy will likely worsen.

[Black Orchid]

that sounds like NOT A FRIEND IN THE WORLD..

I find that hard to believe to be honest....

I dont get out much mainly because I dont want too...but it does mean I spend a fair
bit of the day on my own.......not sure if that makes me lonely though...

what do you think black orchid???.....I have never thought of myself as lonely...

There's a difference between choosing to be alone and being lonely. Being alone is a state of chosen solitude whereas being lonely is an emotive feeling.

[Black Orchid]

Most of us use social media as one of many tools to interact with people on a daily/weekly basis. We like to read people's opinions and discuss them and I see that as healthy interaction. These people are not lonely.

Then there are those who use social media to disrupt, harass and malign and I see this as an extremely unhealthy way to spend one's life. These people are lonely and try to control content/people/circumstances because they have no control over their own loneliness.

[sprintcyclist]

Don't mistake loneliness for being alone. They are quite different. You can be surrounded by people and still be lonely OR you can choose to be alone and not feel lonely.

They say that loneliness is just as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.

Lonely people are 50% more likely to die prematurely than those with healthy social relationships. Loneliness can reduce your immunity and thus expose you to risk of disease. It can also lead to inflammation of the heart. Stress is a major killer and much more likely if you are lonely.

Quality of those we surround ourselves with is always better than quantity.

So is social media adding to the loneliness some people suffer? Does it increase loneliness? Studies have shown that there is a link between social media and loneliness. Are our children setting themselves up for a fall by using social media in the wrong way?

Studies suggest that using Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram and similar social media apps to keep in touch with friends and forge off-line connections can add vitality and communion to your life. But if you are spending hours every day using social media mainly as a substitute for real connection, your feelings of loneliness and inadequacy will likely worsen.

good postings

[Neferti]

that sounds like NOT A FRIEND IN THE WORLD..

I find that hard to believe to be honest....

I dont get out much mainly because I dont want too...but it does mean I spend a fair
bit of the day on my own.......not sure if that makes me lonely though...

what do you think black orchid???.....I have never thought of myself as lonely...

There's a difference between choosing to be alone and being lonely. Being alone is a state of chosen solitude whereas being lonely is an emotive feeling.

I spend most days by myself and love it! I never feel lonely or bored and actually enjoy my own company.

[Nicole]

Most of us use social media as one of many tools to interact with people on a daily/weekly basis. We like to read people's opinions and discuss them and I see that as healthy interaction. These people are not lonely.

Then there are those who use social media to disrupt, harass and malign and I see this as an extremely unhealthy way to spend one's life. These people are lonely and try to control content/people/circumstances because they have no control over their own loneliness.

Yes. There are several exhibits of the latter on these “types” of boards....

[sprintcyclist]

that sounds like NOT A FRIEND IN THE WORLD..

I find that hard to believe to be honest....

I dont get out much mainly because I dont want too...but it does mean I spend a fair
bit of the day on my own.......not sure if that makes me lonely though...

what do you think black orchid???.....I have never thought of myself as lonely...

There's a difference between choosing to be alone and being lonely. Being alone is a state of chosen solitude whereas being lonely is an emotive feeling.

I spend most days by myself and love it! I never feel lonely or bored and actually enjoy my own company.

I am a people person.
Used to run a telephone exchange by myself for a while.
At lunchtimes would forward the alarms through to the main exchange and go to the local shops.
It was just to see other people in the world