Did you know that loneliness and isolation can be as harmful to your health as obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes a day?
Too many people are suffering from a lack of social connections which is harmful to their physical and mental health. We want to help change that.
That’s why we’re supporting the ‘Boost Your Health Esteem’ campaign, launched by Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care System, health and social care organisations and local councils. The campaign has been set up to help each and every one of us tackle any feelings of loneliness and help us keep physically and mentally active.
Head over to the ‘Boost Your Health Esteem’ campaign webpage to access all the resources.
In addition, you can take a number of steps to help your friends and family stay well and avoid isolation and loneliness – these include:
- Be encouraging – persuade them to do regular exercise, join a group or class that focuses on something they enjoy, e.g. dancing
- Making yourself available – call, visit or email them regularly
- Inviting them – ask them to come for dinner, go for a walk, play a board game etc
- Being there – ask them how they are feeling or if there is anything you can do to help
- Being patient – offer gentle reassurance if they are feeling irritable or misunderstood
- Being reliable and dependable – forgetting a promised call etc can be very disappointing for someone who has little contact with others
- Be supportive – encourage and support them to use technology to keep in touch with people who do not live nearby
- Signposting to information – reassure them that support is available and make them aware of the resources below