At Springfield Healthcare, we believe that connection is at the heart of a healthy life. As we mark Loneliness Awareness Week, we are once again reminded that while loneliness is a natural emotion to feel, no one should have to navigate it alone.
Loneliness isn’t always about being physically alone, it can be about the quality of connections we have. It can affect people from all walks of life such as the new parent, the career driven professional, or the older individual living in the centre of our community. Those who are struggling the most, are often those who are the least likely to speak out.
By learning the subtle signs to look out for, we can provide a helping hand to our friends, family, and neighbours before loneliness takes a heavy toll.
signs to look out for
Loneliness can often hide in plain sight. Here are some of the common indicators that someone you know might be feeling isolated:
Sleep Patterns Disrupted: Feeling lonely can disrupt sleep patterns. When you are experiencing loneliness, you may struggle to fall asleep, impacting your energy levels the following day. The lack of sleep coupled with reduced energy can lead to increased feelings of loneliness, ultimately affecting your overall mental wellbeing.
Neglecting Self-Care: Loneliness can drain motivation. You may notice a loved one is less concerned with their appearance than usual, or their home seems uncharacteristically untidy. These out of the ordinary changes could indicate that this individual could be experiencing loneliness.
Heightened Irritability and Sensitivity: Another symptom of loneliness can include feeling increasingly irritable, sensitive and even angry. A friend or family member might become unusually defensive or angry when you try to help, often because they feel embarrassed. Anger can also come from feeling misunderstood, isolated or unheard, all of which contribute to feeling lonely.
Low Self-Esteem: People suffering with loneliness will often start to feel negative about themselves and the situation they are in. They may begin to blame themselves for the way they feel which can cause low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. These feelings combined will only increase their loneliness further so they may withdraw themselves further from friends and family.
how you can help
You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference, you just need to be there for those you care about most. Loneliness thrives in silence, so the best solution is often a simple, consistent connection.
Check-In: A quick text, phone call, or a 10-minute chat can break a cycle of isolation and make an individual experiencing loneliness feel heard, seen and understood.
Encouragement: If you think a loved one, friend or neighbour may be feeling isolated then you should offer them encouragement. This could be encouraging them to communicate with friends, encourage them to go out into the community, or to chat to their GP if their loneliness is impacting their mental wellbeing. Each of these would help in uplifting individuals and encourage social interaction, helping to reduce loneliness.
Active Listening: If someone does begin to open up about their loneliness, ensure you listen carefully and let them talk without jumping in. Make sure to validate their feelings as this is often the first step towards healing.
Share a Task or Activity: You can ask a neighbour, friend, or loved one to help with a task or activity. This could be a household task or helping in the garden, either way feeling useful can be a great way to combat loneliness.
our commitment
Whether it’s through our home care services or within our care home in Garforth, we are dedicated to ensuring every individual feels seen, heard and valued.
This Loneliness Awareness Week let’s take a closer look at those around us. A single conversation can make all the difference and could well be the highlight of someone’s week.
