Viva Vitality: Reducing the Impact of Loneliness

By Michelle Sauvé

Did you know that more than 1 in 10 Canadians aged 15 and older say they always or often feel lonely? Did you know that the loneliest Canadians are teens and young adults followed by people over 80?

Loneliness is a normal human emotion or a signal to the brain to connect with others. We are biologically wired for social contact. There is absolutely no shame in feeling lonely. The more we talk about it, the more we normalize it and move towards a society where loneliness can be spoken about openly.

Loneliness can be a risk factor for poor mental health and physical health outcomes. The stigma associated with talking about feeling lonely can also lead to further social isolation and harm. Reducing the stigma means talking about loneliness with family, friends, coworkers, and our communities.

Research suggests that some people are more vulnerable to loneliness than others. This includes single parents or caregivers, those who belong to a minority group or live in an area where there aren't many people with similar backgrounds, as well as people with mobility challenges who can be more likely to be excluded from social activities. If you don't have much money for certain social activities, experience discrimination and stigma because of your gender, race or sexual identity, or have experienced any kind of abuse, it may be harder to form close relationships with other people.

We can all take action to help reduce the impacts of loneliness on the lives of everyone we encounter. It’s as simple as smiling at strangers, calling your barista by their name, or holding the door open for others. Make time to have a quick friendly chat with your neighbour or share a conversation with someone you know who has a common interest.

If you are experiencing loneliness, try to think of ways you can build connections back into your daily life. Whether you live in a city or a rural community, there are opportunities to meet new people in most communities. Maybe you could take a course, try a fitness class, or take up a hobby. Volunteering is another great way to meet people and build a connection to a cause or community. If you’ve been feeling lonely for a long time, don’t be afraid to bring this up with your doctor. 

At Recovery Alberta, addressing social isolation is an important part of supporting mental health and addiction recovery. Through a range of services and community-based supports, we help individuals build connections and access care as part of Alberta’s broader recovery-oriented system of care.

If you need support, reach out. Call Health Link 811 or 211 Alberta. Call or text the National Helpline at 988 if you are thinking about suicide, seeking crisis support, or are worried about someone you know.

Michelle Sauvé is a Health Promotion Facilitator on the Prevention Promotion Team for Recovery Alberta.