HEALTH + WELLNESS
The Loneliness Epidemic cont ...
often ? Having answered a total of 20 similar questions , I scored 43 out of a possible 80 , which represents a ‘ moderate ’ degree of loneliness , as opposed to low , moderately high or high . I ’ ll admit , that ’ s a little worse than I expected .
It seems that at the core of loneliness as an overarching mindset is a feeling of lack or loss of companionship that happens when there is a mismatch between the quantity and quality of the social relationships that we have , and those that perhaps we ’ d like . Especially as we get older and start to lose loved ones , and retirement or infirmity undoes all the seemingly innocuous but nonetheless interactive ties that come with the daily commute or weekly shop .
That said , loneliness can hit at any age . The Marmalade Trust , a charity that hosts the current Loneliness Awareness Week ( 9-15 June 2025 ), describes it as ‘ a natural feeling that kind of ebbs and flows across our lifetime ’, and according to a US research team from the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , it follows a U-shaped ‘ curve ’, peaking in young adulthood , troughing in midlife , then rising once more after 60 , becoming particularly steep around 80 .
There ’ s something particularly brutal about the idea of loneliness striking in our twilight years , when time to grow through it is running out . “ Three million older people say that the TV or the radio is their main source of company ,” says Ruth Lowe , head of loneliness services for Age UK . That ’ s a tough statement to digest , so do reach out to older friends and family members when they cross your mind .
Moving forward , on a positive , loneliness is not insurmountable at any stage of life and recognising the signs then sharing your honest thoughts with yourself and with others is the first step to breaking its potential cycle . The Mental Health Foundation ( mentalhealth . org . uk / explore-mental-health / loneliness ) have put together some accessible and easily actionable suggestions to help , which are a great start if you ’ re feeling isolated .
Keep Busy
Manageable activities such as gardening , home organisation , jigsaws , puzzling or knitting can give you greater energy and positivity . It ’ s important these things are fun or fulfilling – be careful about working too hard or watching TV shows simply as a distraction , which could delay or suppress your feelings .
Stimulate Your Mind
This could include taking courses or listening to podcasts about anything from comedy to fitness . Just listening to the voice of someone you like can help you feel less lonely .
Get Moving
Physical exercise can be as simple as having a walk in the park when you ’ re feeling a bit overwhelmed . Alternatively , stick some music and dance freely , or , if you ’ re into fitness , keep it up – the endorphins work wonders for motivation .
Engage With People You Meet
Talking to others when you ’ re feeling lonely can be challenging , but connecting with people you meet is an underrated help . Simply catching someone ’ s eye and saying hello as you walk by can make you feel better and will likely give someone else a lift , too .
Use Social Media Positively
Social media can be a double-edged sword , but finding supportive digital communities that share your interests and passions can open up a whole new world . Be mindful of how you feel when you use social media and focus on topics and activities that work best for you .
Talking Therapies Can Help
If you can find a counsellor or therapist , they ’ ll provide you with a safe space to work through your feelings without judgment ; you can find your local resources at nhs . uk / mental-health / talking-therapies-medicinetreatments . Alternatively , Age UK has a 24-hour Silver Line helpline for the over-55s to access telephone friendship and face-toface befriending ( thesilverline . org . uk ).
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