Last reviewed on 4 June 2021
One impact of COVID-19 has been that more people feel lonely. Going in and out of lockdowns and not being able to mix with other people has created a feeling of social and emotional isolation. As restrictions are eased, you're probably looking forward to seeing your friends, relatives and colleagues again but it's also perfectly normal to feel anxious about this after so long apart.
Whether you live with other people or on your own, you might be feeling lonely at the moment. If you don’t have a smartphone or computer, you might be finding it difficult to stay in touch. If you’re self-isolating, you might be struggling with being stuck at home.
As Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of Independent Age and Chair of the Campaign to End Loneliness, says, “Even before COVID-19, millions of people in the UK were experiencing loneliness. The lockdown, while necessary, has exacerbated this problem, particularly for older people, who are more likely to live alone, and less likely to be internet users.”
But loneliness and isolation don’t just affect older people. Recent research by What Works Wellbeing revealed that young adults (aged 18-30) are also at greater risk of loneliness during the pandemic and our own survey with Partnership for Young London showed that many young people rarely left the house during the first lockdown.
Even with COVID-19 restrictions in place, there are things you can do to help you feel less lonely. As Shayamal Shah, a member of UCL’s Loneliness and Social Isolation in Mental Health Network, said in a recent blog, “Whenever you are feeling lonely, upset, negatively reflecting over the past and experiencing the lack of control you have over your minds, remember to fight back.”
You might find it useful to follow these five steps to improve your overall mental wellbeing:
You can find out more in our article about five ways to good mental wellbeing. If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, low or you’re having trouble sleeping, you might find our self-assessment tool useful.
This blog by the Campaign to End Loneliness provides useful guidance for older people on what to do if you’re feeling lonely due to COVID-19. For younger people, the YoungMinds website contains lots of great resources, including tips on coping with loneliness and a blog about dealing with down days in self-isolation. If you’re a student, check out this article on the Student Space website.
We all get lonely so, during Loneliness Awareness Week (14-18 June) and beyond, it's time to build a greater awareness of loneliness and remove the stigma. You can follow the campaign on social media (#LetsTalkLoneliness).
Useful websites and helplines:
Independent Age (0800 319 6789)
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