13 March 2024 , 16:44
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Nearly half of Brits believe that it is possible to have plenty of friends – but still experience feelings of loneliness, a study has found.
The survey of 2,000 adults found that four in 10 have been in a situation where they are surrounded by others, but still feel lonely – such as at work (25%), or at a social event (28%).
And 35% say they struggle to interact with or talk to new people – despite one in five considering themselves to be sociable.
But one in three reckon they would feel less lonely if they could achieve a sense of personal accomplishment. And 43% think it would help them to feel less alone, if they were able to bond with someone through a shared experience.
In light of the findings, dance fitness brand, Zumba, which commissioned the research, followed two people who have experienced loneliness, as they took part in a class together for the first time.
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Nearly half of Brits think you can have plenty of friends, but still feel lonely (Zumba)A spokesman said: “Loneliness can affect anybody, and our research has revealed that it is not exclusively linked with being physically alone.
“Despite having plenty of social contact, many people still experience feelings of loneliness – probably as a result of lacking real human connection. This connection can come from a shared experience, such as a group fitness class.
“It is no surprise that many friendships are formed in classes like ours – but what is less obvious, and perhaps more powerful, is the positive effect of simply sharing the class experience for an hour, with others whom you may not have formally met or spoken to.”
The study also found that more than four in 10 have gone at least three days without talking to another person face-to-face. And those aged 18-24 were found to suffer the most (60%) – with 38% of women feeling this way, compared to just 30% of men.
However, just 14% “often” talk to others about their feelings of loneliness, as 62% believe there is a stigma around it.
Confidence, anxiety levels, and sleep are some of the top things that are negatively impacted by being lonely, according to those polled, via OnePoll.com.
Six in 10 feel like there is a stigma around loneliness - and as such, just 14 per cent “often” share their feelings with others (Zumba)And 42% said their sleep gets worse when they feel lonely, while 29% view themselves as less attractive – and three in 10 say their diet is affected. As a result, 32% believe they would benefit from being part of a community or group.
Psychologist Anjula Mutanda, who has partnered with Zumba to help combat loneliness, said: “Human beings are by our very nature social beings, and psychological research asserts that we need to belong, to relate to each other, and feel connected to other people – this is how we survive and thrive.
“Therefore, feeling disconnected or cut-off from quality relationships with others, can negatively impact our mental and physical health – something which has been highlighted in the research. Experiencing loneliness can come in different forms, and is uniquely felt by each of us.
“This is why some people can feel disconnected in a crowd, or disconnected within their relationships – while others may experience feelings of loneliness when they move away from home, start a new job, or experience a bereavement.
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“It can also affect your confidence, and leave you feeling too afraid or too embarrassed to tell someone how you actually feel – which could potentially lead to a downward spiral of “silent suffering”, and can really take a toll on your wellbeing.
“The good news is that there are steps you can start to take to help you combat loneliness, such as taking part in physical exercise, or reaching out to others for connection and support.”
Anjula Mutanda’s advice to help overcome loneliness:
- Develop an awareness of any unhelpful habits that you may have formed whenever you have felt lonely. For example, jot down when you notice a tendency to withdraw from others and isolate yourself – when all you actually want to do is to reach out.
- When you sense a downward emotional spiral creeping up, do something different that will help you to shift how you feel, instead of leaning into it. It could be as simple as texting a friend or going for a walk. Simply engaging in one small step could help you to take control, and start thinking and feeling more positively.
- Disrupt familiar and well-practiced negative thoughts you may have developed over time – for example, wanting to join a dance class, but preventing yourself from doing so for fear that that other people may judge you negatively. Those pesky negative automatic thoughts (NATs) can really prevent you from reconnecting with things you love.
- Engage in new activities, as this can help you create a more positive mindset and form new habits. Start small by doing things such as volunteering to do the coffee run at work, or actively engaging with colleagues. Or, in your free time, why not look for local events that you enjoy, like signing up for a fitness session or joining a film club.
- Sometimes, you can feel so stuck or overwhelmed that the thought of trying anything new feels too scary – and that’s okay. If you are struggling, then now may be the time to get some professional support to help you get back on track. Make an appointment to talk to your GP, who can help you to find the best resources for you.