Loneliness and mental health are struggles many Americans face. Social support and remaining connected with others is extremely important for everyone’s overall well being. A new study found that 61% of Americans feel lonely. Even more young adults reported the same feeling. 73% reported the same feeling of loneliness.
Social media is one factor to blame for the rising increase in feelings like this. Also, young adults report feeling less content with their jobs than earlier generations. Those new to the work force said they feel lonely at higher rates than those who have had jobs longer. That would be 2/3’s compared to 40%, according to CNBC.
The Health Resources and Services Administration called loneliness an “epidemic.” More and more people are living alone, and it has a severe impact on healthcare in the United States. The government has spent around $6.7 billion in healthcare costs related to isolation.
Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a professor of Psychology and Neuroscience published research about the harmful effects of loneliness. Her research indicated human interaction is a “biological need” and is important to the health and well being of people.
Thus, it is important to maintain a healthy social life. Holt-Lunstad’s report stated it could lead to better health outcomes, such as “premature mortality.”
To learn more about this increasing problem, click on these links:
https://academic.oup.com/ppar/article/27/4/127/4782506
https://www.hrsa.gov/enews/past-issues/2019/january-17/loneliness-epidemic
To learn more about the effects of social media on teens, click here:
https://americanmedicalcompliance.com/social-media-and-teens/
