{"id":36614,"date":"2020-12-10T14:09:50","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T21:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=36614"},"modified":"2023-06-23T11:46:15","modified_gmt":"2023-06-23T17:46:15","slug":"loneliness-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-fight-it-with-kindness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/loneliness-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-fight-it-with-kindness\/","title":{"rendered":"Loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic: Fight it with kindness"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic has been common. Now is the perfect time to reach out to those who have been alone for months. Photo: Getty Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sadness is common during the holidays every year, but the need to isolate ourselves this year has triggered a secondary epidemic of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

For those who are feeling profoundly lonely now, help is available and many, many others are suffering as well. It\u2019s important to know that loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic has been common and that sadness and depression can be worse for everyone during the December holiday season.<\/p>\n

For those experiencing the flip side of loneliness, crowded homes that feel too full of hungry, needy people — all competing for attention and internet access — you might have momentarily forgotten your friends, loved ones and relatives who have been mostly alone for months.<\/p>\n

While your list of things to do may be long, practicing acts of kindness actually can energize and warm the souls of both the person who is doing something kind and the recipient of a thoughtful deed.<\/p>\n

Rachel Slick<\/a> is a behavioral health specialist who sees patients at UCHealth Internal Medicine \u2013 Greeley<\/a>.<\/p>\n

She has been helping many people who have barely left their homes since March.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany are older adults who are retired. Maybe they\u2019ve lost a spouse or their children are grown and the kids have their own lives. They\u2019ve been very responsible with quarantining. Some have only left the house for grocery pickups or a doctor\u2019s appointment,\u201d said Slick, a licensed clinical social worker.<\/p>\n

And some are feeling especially sad and lonely now.<\/p>\n

Loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic has been common<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Slick reassures her patients that depression during the dark days of December is common and has an official diagnosis: Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD<\/a>. People who suffer from SAD may need extra doses of light and Vitamin D<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Rachel
Rachel Slick is a behavioral health specialist and said many of her patients have been coping with loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Danna Fryer, courtesy of Rachel Slick.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cLack of exposure to the sun at this time of year can contribute to our moods,\u201d Slick said.<\/p>\n

She also said the holidays are common times for people to take stock. Grief from the loss of a loved one can feel profound again, just as it does when we encounter other milestones like birthdays and anniversaries. We also compare ourselves to others during the holidays when beautiful light displays and gorgeous holiday cards make it appear that others are living glossy, perfect lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s this societal expectation that it will be the most joyful, wonderful time of the year. It we feel anything other than that, we feel lonely,\u201d Slick said.<\/p>\n

In reality, many people struggle this time of year, and after all the tough battles of 2020, it\u2019s normal to feel loss, grief, sadness and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n

Slick encourages her patients to give themselves a pass on feeling merry right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone is learning to manage expectations. I do a lot of coaching with people. It\u2019s OK if you\u2019re not feeling very joyful right now. Don\u2019t beat yourself up. Acknowledge that Christmas is going to be a challenge, especially if people are getting together somewhere and you are not part of that group,\u201d Slick said.<\/p>\n

Here are some of Slick\u2019s specific recommendations to help lonely people feel better. If you are someone who isn\u2019t lonely, but can do some random acts of kindness, we\u2019ll provide recommendations for you below.<\/p>\n

How to cope with loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic:<\/strong><\/h3>\n