People who need people

This year’s Academy Awards will be broadcast on March 2. For some people, this coming Sunday’s Superbowl tops their TV year. For me, it is the Oscars.

Thinking about today’s blog theme, belonging, takes me back to 1969, when Barbra Streisand won the award for Best Actress for Funny Girl. (There was a tie for the Best Actress award in 1969. Katharine Hepburn won for her role in The Lion in Winter.)

Here’s the thing. I don’t remember much about the movie, but I sure remember her singing People Who Need People.

I was in my early 20s, and fell in love with the song. I was sure it pertained to me.

It was romantic, implying that needing people is the key to opening love’s doors.

People, people who need people, are the luckiest people, the song says.

But as with so many things that stir the heart and rouse the soul, needing people doesn’t guarantee a life filled with joy. Or, at least that’s been my  experience.

Besides the misery that loneliness can bring, scientists are now considering the negative health effects of protracted loneliness. In a country where health care developments lead to longer lives, it seems timely to consider the quality of the those longer lives since much of them may be spent living as a single person.

Feeling as if we belong somewhere, to someone, can take the edge off of loneliness’ impacts on you or those you love. Below I have include AI-assisted research on problems and solutions of loneliness.

1. Health Consequences – Chronic loneliness is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, weakened immune function, and cognitive decline, including a higher risk of dementia. It can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

2. Mental Health Effects – Loneliness is strongly associated with depression, anxiety, and increased stress levels. It can contribute to sleep disturbances and lower overall well-being.

3. Brain and Cognitive Function – Research shows that loneliness affects brain structures involved in emotional regulation and social cognition. It can impair memory, focus, and decision-making abilities.

4. Social and Behavioral Effects – Loneliness can create a negative cycle where individuals withdraw from social interactions, making it harder to reconnect. It can also lead to increased reliance on social media, which may or may not alleviate loneliness.

5. Age and Loneliness – While loneliness can affect all ages, it is particularly common among older adults due to factors like retirement, loss of loved ones, and decreased mobility. However, younger generations also report high levels of loneliness, often linked to digital communication replacing in-person interactions.

6. Community and Cultural Factors – Cultures that emphasize strong social connections and intergenerational living tend to have lower levels of loneliness. Social structures, such as community groups and religious organizations, can serve as protective factors.

7. Solutions and Interventions – Effective ways to combat loneliness include fostering meaningful social interactions, engaging in volunteer work, adopting pets, participating in group activities, and seeking therapy when needed. Some studies suggest that structured programs, such as social prescribing (where doctors recommend community activities), can help alleviate loneliness.