The impact of social isolation and loneliness on your mental health

<p>The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) says "social isolation and loneliness have a detrimental effect on your health and well-being". </p> <p>Some consider loneliness a primary emotion, on a par with fear and anger. For millions of years, survival relied on being part of a gathering; being isolated from your community was dangerous. </p> <p>But now, a fear of loneliness can keep us in a toxic relationship, unfulfilling jobs, or destructive marriages.</p> <p>Loneliness comes in many guises. It can be temporary with situational loneliness where you find yourself without any camaraderie or support. Or you can be going through a life crisis that results in more extended social isolation.</p> <p>A relationship breakdown, losing your job, being seriously ill, and needing to self-isolate with the virus can make you feel completely cut off from love and support.</p> <p>The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to confront loneliness in a new way. Social distancing restrictions and lockdowns meant many more people now faced social isolation and loneliness.</p> <p>Studies by University College London reported in the Nursing Times concluded that "efforts to reduce social isolation of older people are likely to have positive outcomes for their well-being, and this research suggests that they could also reduce mortality".</p> <p>However, everyone feels lonely from time to time. It’s a normal part of the human experience and is something you can’t avoid in life.</p> <p>But some people are more vulnerable to slipping from loneliness into depression.</p> <p>Or there can be hard times in your life when feeling lonely is only one step away from isolation and depression.</p> <p><b>Types of Loneliness</b></p> <p>If you wish to live a happier life, you may have to learn how to deal with loneliness when it happens. Psychologists have identified seven different types of loneliness.</p> <p><b>1. ‘New Kid’ Loneliness</b></p> <p><b>2. Not Fitting in Loneliness</b></p> <p><b>3. Lack of Romance Loneliness</b></p> <p><