Loneliness grows after college Contrary to the popular belief that you're surrounded by friends, parties, and fun in your 20s and 30s, a 2016 study shows that the time after college is actually the time when loneliness peaks. It found that, across genders, loneliness peaks just before your 30s.
A report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) points out that more than one-third of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.
People most frequently experience peak loneliness at three key periods of their lives, according to new research published this week in the journal International Psychogeriatrics. Researchers found that people reported moderate or severe loneliness most often in their late 20s, their mid-50s, and their late 80s.
Yet, as we age, many of us are alone more often than when we were younger, leaving us vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness—and related health problems such as cognitive decline, depression, and heart disease.
The study included over 55,000 people and found that 34% of 25-34 year olds are lonely 'often or very often' while 36% of 34-44 year olds felt the same.
Loneliness can hit at any age. In fact, young adults are three times likelier to feel lonely than older age groups, says a study from the Office for National Statistics.
Many people romanticize their 20s as the best time in their lives and so much pop culture is wrapped up in the glory of this decade in life, but what is not often talked about is how incredibly lonely they can be. For many young people, loneliness peaks in their 20s after they graduate from a college or university.
What causes loneliness? There is not one single cause of loneliness. Loneliness can often be a result of life changes or circumstances that include living alone, changing your living arrangements, having financial problems, or death of a loved one.
If you are dealing with long term loneliness, the kind that doesn't go away, talk to your doctor or another health care provider so they can help. Chronic loneliness is not just about feeling alone; if left unchecked it can put you at risk for serious physical and emotional issues.
It peaks for adults in the 25-34 age group – sometimes called the 'age of anxiety' – when you have the pressures of travelling, finding a life partner, building a career, buying a house, and starting a family. The pressure and rejection of not achieving all these milestones can make you feel lonely.
One in four Australian adults feel lonely, and the impacts can be dire. Loneliness increases our risks of depression, diabetes, dementia, self-harm and suicide.
Loneliness appeared to be more common among men. The survey found 63% of men to be lonely, compared with 58% of women.
On the general scale, women have reported having higher levels of loneliness than men. Except for one category: single men are the lonelier group compared to single women. Women are more socially minded and are therefore able to better maintain close relationships than men.
What is a Loner? Being a loner means that you would prefer to be by yourself rather than with others. Depending on the context of the situation and your personality and preferences, this could be a good or bad thing. Some people view loners in a negative context.
To reiterate, it's absolutely fine to want to remain single, if that's what you really and truly want. Some people are happy being on their own and your status needs no explanation to others. You can always review the situation if and when you feel ready. On the other hand, some people are lonely on their own.
Drop in at the Local Senior Center (Virtually or In Person)
Senior centers, also called adult activity centers, are where many seniors go to socialize, take exercise classes, and learn new things. Give the ones in your area a call, or look them up online.
The reason you have no friends may be because you are shy, uncomfortable interacting with others, or simply don't go places that would lead to meeting new people. You don't have friends may have a lot to do with your mindset.
It feels like you constantly have a cold.
Loneliness can also lead to an increased risk of heart disease, arthritis, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, high blood pressure, inflammation, and even issues with learning and memory, and is said to be a bigger health risk than obesity or smoking.
Looking first at self-reports of ongoing stress, we found that people experience a sharp increase in stress levels in their late twenties and early thirties. Stress levels increase more moderately during the thirties and forties, remain steady for about 20 years, and then drop sharply as retirement comes around.
There's angst, discovery, unpredictability and a sense of self-realization. It's the time we truly leave childhood behind and enter a whole new world of responsibility. It's also a time that demands quick decisions about careers, relationships, finances and a lot more.
"Making friends in your 20s can be challenging," says licensed marriage and family therapist Laurel Roberts-Meese. "The structures and systems we made friends through before don't exist anymore. Sure, we have the workplace, but workplaces aren't structured to assist your psychosocial development."