The startling side effects of loneliness

In the world of community pharmacy, where the rhythm of the day is set by non-stop incoming calls, the beeps of the barcode scanner and the flow of customers, the idea of loneliness may be the last thing on your mind. However, beneath the surface of this fast-paced environment lies an unspoken truth: many pharmacists are navigating a sea of isolation, even amid their daily interactions. We are surrounded by people, yet many of us feel alone. This unique form of loneliness is more than just a personal struggle; it's a reflection of the challenges and realities of working in community pharmacy today.Let’s start with a commonly accepted definition of loneliness. It is a state of mind where you are longing for human connection but your needs are not being met. It is different for everyone as someone can be totally alone but still be really happy and someone can be surrounded by people but still feel really lonely.There is a significant impact on young adults when it comes to feeling lonely, with 61% of young adults finding themselves lonely.1 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.2Loneliness is something that can be particularly prevalent among pharmacists. Many of us work with the same team members day after day without access to basic needs like sunlight. If you didn’t meet a partner during your university years, finding that special someone can also be challenging once you start working because you don’t have the same social network that others working in larger corporate teams have. The lack of breaks also factors into the degree of socializing we can do without multitasking. Add this to our challenging environment including staffing issues, increased customer and corporate expectations, shrinking margins, and the unenviable task of doing more with less—loneliness is that spoiled cherry on top.The physical impact of social isolationThe impact of loneliness is now being measured and the results are mind-blowing. Lack of social connection, according to one dramatic formulation, is as dangerous as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.3 Loneliness can increase the risk of early mortality by 26%.4 It has been associated with contributing to obesity and being linked to a weakening immune system.5 From a cardiovascular perspective, social isolation and loneliness are associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, including coronary heart disease and have been associated with increasing risk of stroke by 30% stroke.6The mental impact of lonelinessLoneliness is strongly associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide.2 It has also been linked to various disorders including alcohol abuse, child abuse, sleep problems, personality disorders and accelerated cognitive decline including Alzheimer’s disease.7 Social isolation was associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia.2Loneliness has been extensively studied and is increasingly recognized as a significant public health concern due to its impact on both physical, mental and behavioural health. The effects of loneliness on health are multifaceted and can be severe. Loneliness is not just a transient emotional state but a condition with profound implications for physical and mental health. Individuals, communities, and health care providers need to recognize the signs of loneliness and take steps to address this growing public health issue. These statistics underscore the extensive impact of loneliness on health, highlighting the need for interventions and support systems to mitigate these effects across different populations. Read: The loneliness epidemic: New guidelines to help care for seniors with loneliness or social isolationWhat is a ‘Warm Line?’‘Warm lines’ provide a resource to speak with someone who is trained to listen. These services offer confidential and anonymous support for adults who are not in crisis but may be feeling lonely, isolated, anxious, or in need of emotional support and companionship. Here are some examples to use yourself and share with your patients.Connex Ontario Warm Line is described as a confidential and anonymous service for adults in need of a friend with an empathetic ear, operated by peers who have experienced loneliness, isolation, and other challenges. 1-866-531-2600Progress Place Warm Line provides a confidential and anonymous service for adults over 18 from 6pm to midnight @ 416-960-WARM (9276) or via SMS by texting 647-557-5882.Peer Support Warm Line - Wellness Together Canada is available for individuals to talk to a trained peer supporter between 4:00 pm and 12:00 am (EST), 7 days a week.Seniors Support Link provides provincial lines of emotional support for older adults. Various telephone numbers.If you are a pharmacist with a strong social network and feel connected to your family, co-workers and friends, you can still recognize when the patients you serve may be experiencing loneliness. If this is the case, share some of the above resources with them to help them.Action StepsPlay phone Russian roulette. When you feel you want more social contact, go to your contacts and do a ‘Price is Right’ spin and see where you land. Call that person to re-connect with them.To connect more with the rest of your store staff, organize a Jays game or bowling night where team members from other departments can join in. Connecting with your team in this way enables your walk in and out of work to be filled with more fruitful conversations than the ceremonial ‘good morning’ and ‘have a good night.’Join a sports league at your local community centre to meet new people outside your working circle.Consider adopting a pet. Pets have been shown to have positive impacts on your health including lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and improving your mood.Manjit Hansra is the founder of Rx for Renewal (www.rx-renewal.ca). Through keynote speaking, 1:1 coaching, corporate wellness programs and curated retreats, he shares evidence-based and practical tools to help pharmacy organizations and pharmacists prevent and manage burnout. Subscribe to his weekly newsletter HERE.Citations[1] https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/what-doctors-wish-patients-knew-about-loneliness-and-health[2] https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html[3] https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/03/new-surgeon-general-advisory-raises-alarm-about-devastating-impact-epidemic-loneliness-isolation-united-states.html[4] https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/facts-and-statistics/[5] https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10400921/[7] https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf