Loneliness is plaguing America.
I have been spending time with family and it brought up how little people hang out anymore, and I wanted to share some of the things that I found in research:
It's a staggering reality that one in three people, approximately 33 percent, in the U.S. grapple with loneliness on a regular basis. Even more concerning, 61 percent of younger individuals and 51 percent of mothers of young children admit to being lonely.
Being lonely can increase your risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%.
Chronic loneliness can increase your chances of early death by 26%.
I've found that actively seeking out social interactions, whether through hobbies, community events, or even just chatting with neighbors, has been essential. It’s easy to get caught up in work and responsibilities, but making time to connect with others has been incredibly valuable in maintaining my mental health and sense of connection. I have really chatty neighbors, though, and sometimes I do have to avoid them if I have somewhere to be. Ha!