By Donna Groves, MA, LMFT — EMDR and CBT therapist specializing in trauma, CPTSD, and addiction recovery
In today’s world, social isolation continues to take a toll on our mental and physical well-being, even years after the initial surge of remote work and digital reliance sparked by the Covid pandemic.
While technology has made it possible for people to stay connected online, the reality is that many of us—especially older adults—are still struggling with isolation. With remote work becoming the norm and older adults increasingly using the internet for social interaction, face-to-face connection has diminished, leaving many feeling more isolated than ever before.
This ongoing “social recession” affects people of all ages, but it can be especially pronounced for those who work from home or older adults who no longer have the same level of in-person interaction. The lack of opportunities to physically meet with friends, family, or even coworkers contributes to the growing sense of loneliness, and it’s becoming clearer that this is more than just a temporary phase. Social isolation is an issue that persists and continues to negatively impact our emotional and physical health.
Social isolation damages our wellbeing
Isolation has tangible effects on our physical health. Loneliness and social isolation are risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke (1). The effects include a significantly greater chance of early death. An analysis of many different studies found that loneliness increases the risk of early death by 26% and social isolation increases the risk by 29% (2). Social isolation and isolation increase our vulnerability to depression, anxiety, and other emotional health challenges.
Social isolation cuts us off from the personal relationships that provide the resources that help us cope with stress and uncertainty. A strong support network of family and friends provides the knowledge that we are not alone. Unfortunately, just as constant stress, uncertainty about our health, and worries about career or finances make us the most dependent on a robust support system, social isolation erodes that.
Our minds and bodies need social connection
“We have evolved to be social creatures. For all the history of humanity, people have been in family structures, people have been in groups, we’re evolved to kind of crave and rely on that interaction with other human beings”
–Dr. Dhruv Khullar, Weill Cornell Medicine
All of us need to feel that friends and family have our back. When we have a support system, people that we can count on, we are more like to feel that we can manage even the most stressful situations. With stress and uncertainty so high, we need to make sure that we bolster our social connections.
Even brief periods of isolation can trigger increased anxiety or depression within days. Prolonged stress and isolation becomes similar to a chronic illness where the damage can just continue to build over time.
What can you do?
The good news is that altering your social relationships to enhance your connectedness can have significant effects on your physical and mental health (3). In fact, some leading psychologists have suggested, even before the pandemic, that advancing social connection should be a health priority in the United States (4).
Even if your ability to go out and be with others physically is limited, you have options to stay connected and to build connections. Video calling or even using the phone can diminish your social isolation or feelings of loneliness. Ideally, face-to-face in-person action is the best, but when that’s not possible, go for the richest possible pathway. A phone call is better than texting or sending a WhatsApp. A video call is better than a phone call.
If you feel that stress and anxiety are overwhelming you, consider reaching out to Donna Groves, MA, LMFT. Donna is a therapist and life coach in Los Angeles. She can help you build your feelings of connectedness while helping you better deal addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, and more. Donna offers online process groups that can help create connections and normalize feelings. She is within traveling distance from Malibu and Santa Monica. And, of course, Donna provides video sessions. You can get help!
If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to arrange a complimentary consultation or appointment by calling or filling out the contact form and click Send.
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(1) Holt-Lunstad, J., & Smith, T. B. (2016). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for CVD: implications for evidence-based patient care and scientific inquiry. Click here for the full article.
(2) Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T. B., Baker, M., Harris, T., & Stephenson, D. (2015). Loneliness and social isolation as risk factors for mortality: a meta-analytic review. Perspectives on psychological science: a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 10(2), 227–237. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691614568352
(3) Hartmann, M., Bäzner, E., Wild, B., Eisler, I., & Herzog, W. (2010). Effects of interventions involving the family in the treatment of adult patients with chronic physical diseases: a meta-analysis. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 79(3), 136-148.
(4) Holt-Lunstad, J., Robles, T. F., & Sbarra, D. A. (2017). Advancing social connection as a public health priority in the United States. American Psychologist, 72(6), 517.
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By Donna Groves, MA, LMFT
She specializes in trauma, CPTSD, addiction, and anxiety, integrating evidence-based and depth-oriented therapies to support lasting emotional and relational change.