Healthline: Are You Socially Isolated? Learn the Signs and How to Get Support
“Isolation isn’t the same thing as loneliness, a feeling where you long for social contact. Loneliness may happen as a natural consequence of isolation, of course, but you can have a thriving network of friends and loved ones and still feel lonely from time to time. Still, like loneliness, isolation can have a far-reaching impact on your overall well-being. Read on to learn a few signs of social isolation to pay attention to, how it might affect your everyday life, and what you can do forge new bonds.
Signs of social isolation
Due to the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become pretty common for some people to spend entire days at home in solitude. So, how do you tell the difference between social isolation and everyday life in the digital age? Isolation is somewhat relative, but researchers generally consider signs like:
Relationship status: Are you married? Dating? Or happily single?
Community participation: Do you belong to any clubs or sports teams? Are you a member of a religious group, like a church or temple?
Number of close contacts: Do you trust at least a few people enough to house-sit when you leave town, bring you groceries when you get sick, or confide in after a bad breakup?
Frequency of contact: Do you talk with your friends and family on a regular basis?
Overall quality of relationships: Do you feel like the people in your life respect and care about you?
You may have thousands of Twitter followers, a large group of classmates you spend time with, or a whole Brady Bunch of a family tree. But you might still be socially isolated if you have a hard time connecting because you:
feel like an outsider
believe no one knows the real you
worry that everyone in your life considers you a burden
go days or weeks without having a meaningful conversation with anyone`
Some Insights From This Article
Loneliness can often beget isolation as beliefs that we are alone often cycle into each other to promote more isolation oriented behaviors and perceptions. With the rise of online communities and lack of face to face/physical contact this perception of isolation can be a lot stronger and pervade a bigger influence.
The article mentions that even if you have a large group of community members and acquaintances, even friends, you can feel “isolated”. This can be manifested in feelings of being outside, feeling of superficiality, worry that we may be a burden or simply just going weeks without meaningful conversations.
This highlights possible feelings of people who struggle with loneliness/isolation. They may have regular communication and interactions with different people however there is seemingly no meaningful conversation, most conversation being superficial and more cordial in nature.
What are some ways we can counter feelings of isolation?
Full article is here!
#Isolation #Loneliness #Depression
Thank you so much @sunnyWriting4806 for such an informative post!
I counteract isolation by having a close support network, a bubble of people which always make me feel less alone 💛
@LlamaLizz
Having that close group of friends can make you feel less alone, especially if you know that they will be there for you and check in on you if you've been disconnected for awhile.
@sunnyWriting4806 i sit in my room lots
alone
doing practically nothing
probably not good
@squichbean
Right! I honestly at first loved staying in my room by myself during the pandemic as it gave me so much time to do stuff and work, but I gradually started missing more and more hanging out with my friends and going out to just have conversations face to face with people!
@sunnyWriting4806 idont really go out that much tbh
or from my room
except when school
or eat
etc
idont really like conversation that much
or outside
so
.
fun ***
:)
@squichbean
Haha. and yes that can be fine too!
I lost my job a few weeks ago unexpectedly so I’ve been feeling really isolated lately. I live with my sister and spend a lot of time at my boyfriends place also, but they both work so I’m by myself for most of the day. I’m very close with my family and they’re supportive so I’m grateful for that, but I’ve just been by myself so much lately and it sucks. Also I feel bad when I’m emotional because I know eventually this tough time will pass but in the moment I just feel so down and lonely. My best friend lives in a different state, and I don’t have too many other close friends. I’ve learned that I thrive in social situations, I love people and connecting with others, so being isolated all day has been really draining. Looking to find a part time job so I can at least be around people but no luck yet. It’s just been very difficult.
@GP2695 good stuff will happen eventually
patience
dont force anything
ibesend good vibes
so u dont give up
:)))))))))))
Thanks so much!!
@GP2695 :)
https://tenor.com/view/kirbo-gif-18598276
@squichbean
Well said :) Sometimes not forcing things to happen is the best way we let time move its own course :)
@GP2695
It seems like all the unfortunate circumstances seemed to add up to this moment to create this kind of situation for you :( I'm sorry to hear and I hope you find some meaningful time when you do spend some time with your boyfriend or your sister. The waiting time between getting jobs can be tough and like you covered you do understand that it is a transient situation as time will resolve these things as you carry on. I hope you'll be able to keep strong until that time comes!
Thanks, I really appreciate that!
Am definitely isolated & have been for years...I didn't even have to read the whole article to know it. Have tried to break out of it & find friends but that's easier said than done, due to chronic illness as much as anything else. Right now Tropical Storm Nicole is keeping everyone inside...we'll see what happens after it's gone.
@slowdecline48
Hope for your safety and security during the storm! and yes I totally agree going out and meeting people is much easier said than done. But it's definitely something that can pay off if we meet the right people!
@sunnyWriting4806 For me personally, I'm fortunate enough to be around others often. I have a good support system. However, sometimes, to counter isolation, I text or call a friend. This happened more recently due to covid. But now I don't worry about it much.
@pioneeringPlane5536
That's awesome! And yes having that one friend that you can reliably call and text is a great way to remind yourself that you're not alone! Glad you're doing well now :)
I can relate to a lot of points mentioned in the article.
@patientPine2100
Loneliness and isolation can manifest itself in many ways and I think this article really captures some of the aspects of that. Which point do you feel like relate to you the most?
I currently and have been experiencing deep loneliness and social isolation. It definitely is difficult to handle and lots of excessive energy to make new connections and new relationships. Between the Pandemic and the loss of friends there last few years has most certainly made the loneliness much more difficult for me. Its heart and soul drenching and its so hard and painful.
I'm thankful that I'm not alone makes me feel like I'm not the only person experiencing it.
Iwouldn't want anyone to go through this pain and be in depression like I have been and still am . It's important to have people that are there for you and deep relationships with people to spread love and comfort and encourage you in life. Having lack of support system is awful and makes it so dark .
Not easy to admit that you're lonely and sad and discouraged. It's not a good place to be in. I'm in that space right now and its very very emotional. Lots of tears and pain and sleepless nights worrying about where you'll ever have deep connections with others again or not.
We all need to be loved and cared about and be connected with others and ourselves ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
I could have written this. This is exactly where I find myself. I have ‘friends’ but they aren’t the kind who want to know how I’m really doing. We talk about the general superficial stuff when we meet.
I lost both parents within a span of 5 years. No one in my ‘circle’ checked on me or supported me. That has made me question these friendships.
I never thought that I’d find myself depressed. But I am and as a last resort I’m on these apps…Sharing stuff that I can’t say to anyone around me!
@patientPine2100 are u toggling
can happen
basically u act happy in one situation and sad in another
sorta thing like that
its annoying
i do it
but
oh well
I guess
relate very well to the last resort stuff
now stored enough in my room to od
hope u get better
sending good vibes now
:))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
@squichbean …I guess I do toggle…It just happens!
Sending you positive vibes too :)
@patientPine2100
Glad you were able to find this site to get things off your chest, wishing for the best for you :)
@Leanna3333
Wonderfully said, thank you for sharing your experience and describing that for us. You're right, there's many people that are going through this throughout, but hopefully there will be a deep connection for us lying in our future.
@sunnyWriting4806 talk to someone you feel close with and express what's going on even if you have to come on here cause I've done it, look up questions and answer them in a journal or on your social media if you want to share them with people. I think doing things that feel engaging can help because it's almost like a mind distraction that eventually will turn into oh yeah I forgot I was feeling lonely or isolated
@tealLion9329
I totally agree. Sometimes the best weapon we have against negative thoughts is distraction and keeping our mind occupied with other things rather than dwelling on them. All the options you mentioned are really good ways of doing that! Thanks for sharing!
I know I'm isolated socially. I don't have friends in real life. I don't associate with family. I've gotten alittle closer with a neighbor over the past year but they're alot older than I am and I worry that I could wear out my welcome if I visit too often. I socialize here on Cups - not as often as I used to tbh - because there again I worry I'm being a pest lol and it can be kind of hard to have a meaningful conversation here sometimes. I know I need to make more effort to find people - its kind of hard I guess because I'm not a big fan of people lol 😅 there's expectations I can't allways meet or I feel overwhelmed by too much coming all at once
@mytwistedsoul dont set expectations too high
big mistake
very not good
u dont have to go and find ppl
just make sure u dont spend too much time alone
at least go out once a week
:)
@mytwistedsoul
I totally understand where you're coming from, it can be quite difficult to really be proactive about relationships given that there's another person. Being an introvert isn't a bad thing! A lot of people sometimes just don't really find too much enjoyment being with other people and that's okay.