loneliness

Harvard University reported last February that “the global pandemic has deepened an epidemic of loneliness in America.”

According to some recent studies, most Americans have fewer friends and are lonelier than at any point in our nation’s history. The effects of loneliness are catastrophic. Here is how the church can help.

According to a recent piece by Sarah Logan in The Guardian, a growing number of young people are practicing “relationship minimalism.” Inspired by home organizing coaches like Marie Kondo, these mostly urban, single adults are not only clearing their lives of excess stuff; they’re tossing out people who do not "spark joy" in their lives.

The church has the power to stop the epidemic of loneliness. Ask God to help you deepen your connections today—then seek to be the friend to others that Jesus is to you.

Author and pastor Max Lucado recently sat down with Christian Headlines to offer encouragement to those who are struggling with loneliness during this season.

Over these past two months, I’ve concluded that none of the most important issues we face today as a culture were created by this virus. Rather, the virus exposed and accelerated issues that already mattered.

For those trapped at home during quarantine, the internet has been a window to the outside, allowing them to stay in touch with friends, loved ones, book groups and houses of worship. Video meeting apps, such as Skype and Zoom, have witnessed a boom in users since the beginning of the outbreak.

The health impact of this loneliness epidemic is incredible. According to Murthy, “the impact of social isolation and loneliness on longevity equals that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day and exceeds the risks associated with obesity, excessive alcohol consumption and lack of exercise.”

A recent report from the National Academy of Science found that “social isolation has been linked to a 50 percent increased risk of dementia, a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease and a 32 percent increased risk of stroke.”

The loneliness epidemic has had its effect on many different groups of people, but perhaps more prominently, it has plagued the elderly community. One U.K. study suggests that loneliness in elders can lead to an early death.