By Jillian Broaddus and Chuck Cusumano
There’s an epidemic sweeping our nation, and it probably isn’t what you think…
It’s been growing for years, and heightened by the work-from-home movement sprouted in 2020…
It’s grown despite factors that you think would curb it…
It’s: The Loneliness Epidemic.
Coined in a recent article by Fast Company, the “Loneliness Epidemic” is considered a crisis to our mental and physical wellbeing. According to another article, “About half the population has reported that it has experienced loneliness [since 2018]. Loneliness can be as dangerous to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, according to a 2023 surgeon general’s report.”
The COVID-19 pandemic forced us into isolation, and it’s possible that we’ve never fully recovered. In-person meetups were replaced with virtual calls, travel to loved ones grinded to a halt, and we were deprived of physical touch from other humans outside of our direct household for months.
However, at a time when social media connects us to a wider net of people than our ancestors would’ve ever thought feasible, it’s an interesting stat that loneliness numbers are still on the rise (climbing 12% in the last few years according to one Cigna poll). The answer, then, must come down to our quality of interactions and relationships, rather than strict quantity.
So, how do we control – or even reverse – this epidemic? The good news is, it can start right at work. You, as a leader, have the power to make your workplace one that makes someone feel a little less alone. (Which isn’t surprising, given that we spend approximately 1/3 of our lives working!)
Here’s how:
Check in with your people: How are they doing? Now, how are they really doing? According to the American Psychological Association, nearly half of all workers fear bringing up mental health issues in the workplace. So, normalize open discussions about how everyone is feeling and create an open-door policy for non-work-related issues. You never know who might be struggling in silence, and have no one to talk to outside of the office; so, ensure your safe is space for everyone to belong and speak up.
Set the example: Walk the talk, and be open and honest about how you’re doing as a leader. When you do, your employees will not only feel empowered to do the same, but will bring their best and WHOLE selves to work.
Offer help: While mental health benefits may be outside of the range of those offered by your company’s health insurance, you can still do your part. Allot one or two “mental health days” per year for employees, without having to use it as recorded PTO. Bring in masseuses, therapy dogs, or even meditation experts for a stress-reduction-focused lunch & learn. Get creative, and see what your employees might benefit from to feel less alone.
Facilitate connection: We often get focused on results, and end up working in silos with communication consistently centered around the goals and results. Instead, schedule time for employees to gather where they can truly foster meaningful relationships. Volunteer opportunities, happy hours, escape rooms… the ideas are endless! And, if you’re virtual, try a virtual coffee chat, or send you employees an at-home gift to open and use together (think: a cocktail-making kit, paint-by-numbers set, or snack box).
Stay open: Create a way for employees to anonymously leave comments and feedback on what is working well in your efforts to reduce loneliness, and what ideas should be further implemented.
If you need help with the “Loneliness Epidemic” in your own life or workplace, reach out to us at hello@thejoshuagroup.net. We’d love to connect!
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