The Loneliness Epidemic: Lessons from The Blue Zones

What Can We All Do to Feel More Connected and Live a Healthier, Happier Life?

Do you feel lonely? Do you have a few people you can talk to and count on to feel included, safe, connected, fulfilled and happy? If you’re feeling lonely, you’re not alone! Right now, Australians are lonelier than ever, which is impacting our health by causing a persistent stress response.

Neuroscientists believe that the human brain has evolved to find safety in numbers, so it recognises loneliness as a threat. The brain centre monitoring danger goes into overdrive and triggers the fight or flight stress hormones. That causes a person’s heart rate to rise, and their blood sugar and blood pressure levels increase to give them more energy to flee. If the feeling of loneliness isn’t switched off, this stress response can cause many health issues such as chronic inflammation, gut problems, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular conditions, stroke and even type 2 diabetes.

There are so many reasons why we are feeling lonelier than ever. The pandemic, the increasing usage of social media, social isolation, breakdown of communities, living conditions, employment issues, decline in health to name a few. And the problem seems to be increasing amongst all age groups. However, there are communities in the world who experience little loneliness and deep fulfilling connections, and you can experience that too!

Feel Inspired: What are the Blue Zones?

The Blue Zones are 5 regions in the world which have the longest lived and healthiest people. These are communities that thrive on constant social connection, healthy eating and active lifestyles. They experience very little loneliness and experience deep social networks. In Okinawa, Japan, one of the 5 Blue Zones, people live extraordinarily better and longer lives than almost anyone else in the world. The Moai, one of their longevity traditions, is a group of lifelong friends from birth. These are social groups that exist all their lives offering eachother deep support, connection and respect.

In small neighbourhoods across Okinawa, friends “meet for a common purpose” (sometimes daily and sometimes a couple days a week) to gossip, experience life, cook together, attend classes and to share advice and even financial assistance when needed. These groups of friends make a commitment to eachother for life, protecting them from loneliness. If you get sick or a spouse dies or if you run out of money, someone from the Moai will step in and help.

Find your Tribe

In all 5 Blue Zones, they have traditions and social networks in place to protect them from loneliness and which support healthy behaviours. While Okinawans have Moais, Sardinians meet with friends each evening for happy hours to de-stress, the Village is central to Ikarian life and Adventists host weekly meals and walks with their congregations. By finding the right tribe, you’ll not only add years to your life, but you’ll enjoy your time here just a little more.

Research shows that your social connections can have long-term impact of your health and happiness. If you share similar values, healthy habits and life goals together, your health and happiness significantly improves. You are protected from chronic stress, loneliness, experience more joy and it’s been shown you live longer. Assessing who you hang out with, and then proactively surrounding yourself with the right friends, will do more to add years to your life than just about anything else.

What can you do to feel more connected to others, less lonely and live a healthier and happier life?