COVID Lockdowns Exposed The Complex Ways We Respond to Loneliness

A new study looks at how we experience isolation and feelings of loneliness as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which has seen multiple lock downs in multiple countries.

We all experience being on our own in different ways. For some people, it can be harmful to their mental and physical health, for others, the chance to have their own space and personal time is a positive.

The study shows the need to look at loneliness across generations. It is not just the elderly that are at risk from loneliness.

"Lockdown was an amazing event and presented a fascinating opportunity to explore how people of all ages experience loneliness," says Rowena Leary from the University of York in the UK.

One of the most striking findings of our study was how different people are, with individuals in the same situation as hell or bliss.

The volunteers in the study were asked a number of questions, including high and low points, and their responses to them. They were not asked to write about being alone, but the topic came up frequently.

In addition, the participants were asked how often they felt lonely during lock down: never, rarely, sometimes, or often. Three key types of loneliness were identified by the researchers after analyzing and coding the varying responses.

They were social loneliness, emotional loneliness, and existential loneliness.

There were stories about missing physical contact and having to cancel social events. There were mentions of the benefits of solitude in the high point section.

"Existential loneliness is brought on by contemplation of death or dying, which likely explains why many people experienced it during the Pandemic," he says.

There is no obvious way to help people who are feeling lonely.

The UK has a Minister for Loneliness to deal with the problem of loneliness. Being lonely is linked to poor cardiovascular health and impaired immunity.

Scientists need to better understand loneliness in order to help people who are lonely. It can be hard for people to admit that they are emotional.

According to the researchers, further studies of people who enjoy solitude could provide clues as to how others could be protected from the negative impacts of loneliness.

It isn't always possible for people to be with others according to a psychologist.

It's important to identify strategies for dealing with being alone, and to consider how we can help diverse individuals to learn and use such strategies.

The research has been published.