In 2024, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy highlighted loneliness as a public health crisis. And the evidence is compelling—social isolation can be just as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes daily, raising the chance of early death by nearly 30%. Yet, it feels like we’ve done very little as a society to tackle this issue.
As someone who has spent over five decades working as a psychiatrist, I can tell you, this holiday season my phone has been inundated with calls. It’s not patients seeking help for anxiety or depression but rather those who are feeling intensely lonely. A recent survey by AARP reveals that 40% of adults aged 45 and over report feeling lonely, up five percentage points from a few years ago. Interestingly, the holiday period seems to amplify these feelings.
This situation is not merely a personal crisis for many Americans; it poses a significant challenge for policy. Loneliness escalates healthcare expenses, diminishes workplace productivity, and overburdens our mental health systems. When social connections are lacking, we tend to fall ill more frequently, take longer to recover, and, unfortunately, have shorter lives. Essentially, Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers are dealing with a societal issue that’s masquerading as a medical one.
While discussions around healthcare expenditures are frequent in Washington, this aspect is often overlooked. For numerous individuals, the most cost-effective solution could be fostering human connections instead of opting for another prescription or medical intervention. Alas, government programs can’t really facilitate that.
Make a Call
Reach out first. Don’t wait for someone else to initiate. Inquire about their well-being; if the conversation flows well, arrange to meet again. A commitment to just a couple of calls each day might seem straightforward, but it could change someone’s day.
Help Those in Need
Consider volunteering; serve meals at shelters, maybe participate in a toy drive. Engaging in such activities puts you among individuals with similar objectives, creating a sense of community that often extends to shared meals afterwards.
Engage with Religious Communities
Faith-based organizations, like churches, synagogues, and mosques, have been uniting people during the holidays for generations. There’s a reason for that—they offer some of the few spaces designed specifically for communal gatherings.
Practice Gratitude
When feeling isolated, it’s easy to fixate on what’s lacking in life. Push back against that impulse. Consider jotting down things for which you are thankful. Studies consistently highlight the psychological benefits of gratitude—this isn’t just wishful thinking.
Get Active
It’s a pattern I often observe—patients skip the gym because they feel isolated. But that’s counterproductive. Exercise helps elevate mood, and joining a fitness class or group can pave the way to new connections with those pursuing similar goals.
Say Yes to Invitations
Surprisingly, many lonely individuals admit to declining holiday invites. I find that odd—I didn’t experience it that way. “I don’t know them well enough,” they’ll say. Enough of that mindset. Accept the invitation; you can always bow out early, but you have to show up first.
None of these suggestions require new laws or funding; they just need individuals to make conscious choices. We need a cultural pivot prioritizing face-to-face interactions instead of digital ones. While our phones have made us feel more connected, they’ve also left many feeling isolated. That’s a paradox to reflect on.
The Surgeon General’s statement was indeed a wake-up call. Yet, the solution to this epidemic won’t stem from Washington decisions; it’s about what happens in our living rooms, places of worship, and community centers. Every small choice to be there for someone makes a difference. Loneliness doesn’t have to be a permanent condition—it’s a choice we can address—let’s start today.
