Teenage girls are the loneliest group in the world, a new WHO study finds
Concerns about an epidemic of loneliness have made their way into pop culture and politics in recent years – and the WHO's Commission on Social Connection aimed to pinpoint exactly who is at risk and what it means for their wellbeing.
Young people are most affected by loneliness, the report found, with about 20.9 per cent of adolescents and 17.4 per cent of adults under 30 saying they feel lonely. That's compared with 11.8 per cent of those aged 60 or older.
Overall, men and women fare about the same – but teenage girls are the loneliest group, with 24.3 per cent saying they are lonely.
'There are many factors that are driving loneliness and isolation,' Dr Vivek Murthy, the former US surgeon general and the commission's co-chair, said during a press briefing.
He cited 'poor physical and mental health, which can unfortunately further isolate individuals' as well as 'social marginalisation' and the 'increasingly harmful or excessive use of digital media, especially among youth' as key problems.
Not everyone who spends time alone is lonely. The WHO says someone is socially isolated if they lack enough social connections, while it defines loneliness as the 'painful feeling' that arises when people do not have the kind of relationships they want.
Data on social isolation is more limited, but the commission believes it affects up to one in three older adults and one in four young people.
Both loneliness and social isolation can have severe health consequences. They are linked to an estimated 871,000 deaths per year, raising the risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, cognitive decline, and poor mental health, the report found.
But having strong social connections can boost people's health and even help them live longer, the commission said.
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WHO experts called for national governments to make loneliness a policy priority and for more research into strategies that can help bolster social connections.
'For too long, we have not recognised the importance of social health,' Murthy said. 'That must change'.
Some countries are already taking steps in that direction. Sweden, for example, launched a €30 million plan this year to combat loneliness, for example by doing outreach to elderly people who may be isolated, said Jakob Forssmed, Sweden's minister for social affairs and public health.
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In the coming months, Sweden will start giving 16- to 18-year-olds 'activity cards' with money that can be spent on civil society groups, sports, outdoor activities, and cultural events – but only on activities that involve other people, Forssmed said during the briefing.
The goal is to better equip young people with social skills and boost connections between people of all ages.
'This is not a problem for those who are lonely, those who are isolated,' Forssmed said. 'This is a problem for the whole of society'.
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It also allows you to be more present and practice mindful eating habits, which may lead to better food choices. Remember you can start small—even just five minutes of sitting down to eat can be beneficial. Over time, that five minutes may naturally turn into half an hour. Read the original article on EATINGWELL
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How to Tell If You're Parenting Through a ‘Functional Freeze'
The term 'functional freeze' has been getting a lot of attention on social media—in part, it seems, because it names an experience many parents have been unknowingly grappling with: outwardly functioning while inwardly feeling numb or 'frozen.' This phenomenon is especially common among parents due to the overwhelming and often invisible labor required of caregivers. 'Parents may not realize they're operating from a state of functional freeze because they're still feeding their kids, driving to appointments, and meeting basic needs,' says Miranda Nadeau, PhD, licensed psychologist and owner of Panorama Therapy. But she says not addressing this state can take a toll on parent's mental health and impact relationships with their children and other loved ones. Learn how to identify functional freeze, how it impacts family dynamics when left unaddressed, and what parents can do to support themselves out of it. What Is 'Functional Freeze'? The term "functional freeze" is not a formal clinical diagnosis, but rather a phrase used to describe a very short-term physiological response in which a person actually slows down or dissociates—often out of fear, overwhelm, or self-preservation. The term captures the contradiction of "freezing" internally while still feeling a sense of responsibility to "function" outwardly, a reality that resonates with many parents. During this state, a person may seem fine on the outside, but emotionally disconnected on the inside, struggling to get through the day. A freeze state is often triggered when other nervous system responses like 'fight' or 'flight' aren't available or don't feel socially acceptable. As a result, the mind and body go into a kind of lockdown for protection. 'It's not a moral failure or a character flaw; it's a nervous system doing its best to cope,' says Nadeau. While some of the symptoms of a functional freeze state may sound similar to burnout or depression, there are distinctions. The hallmarks of burnout, which is also not a clinical diagnosis, are exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced productivity. Depression, a mood disorder, affects everyday functioning and impacts how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. However, persistent experiences of functional freeze can also signal clinical depression, especially if these symptoms continue for weeks or months. "Functional freeze is often missed because people can still 'function,'' says Supatra Tovar, LCP, a holistic health clinical psychologist. 'They may go to work, pack lunches, answer emails, and even appear calm. But they are often dissociated from their emotions, struggling with indecision, or living in a constant state of low-level overwhelm.'"Functional freeze is often missed because people can still 'function.' They may go to work, pack lunches, answer emails, and even appear calm. But they are often dissociated from their emotions, struggling with indecision, or living in a constant state of low-level overwhelm." Supatra Tovar, LCPHow 'Functional Freeze' Shows Up in Parents Nadeau and Tovar share the subtle but telling signs of how this nervous system response can show up in parents' lives. Flat caregiving Nadeau describes this as 'keeping everyone alive and on schedule but without any sense of connection or satisfaction.' A parent may feed, bathe, and dress their child but feel emotionally disconnected throughout the process. This can come with guilt or shame, and a frustrating sense of being unable to fix it. Social and Emotional Withdrawal Parents in a "functional freeze" may experience social and emotional withdrawal. Family activities and social interactions that were once enjoyable now feel overwhelming to the point that they are avoided. 'You stop doing things that once fostered closeness—bedtime snuggles, shared meals, check-ins—because they feel effortful or emotionally inaccessible,' says Nadeau. Emotional withdrawal might also look like finding it difficult or impossible to cry or express emotion, even during deeply upsetting situations. Paralysis Feeling emotional paralysis can cause the dirty laundry to pile up, frozen meals to become the daily fall back option, and the floors to never truly be clean. Parents feeling this have little motivation to practice self-care, even when they have the time for it. They might forget appointments or lose track of time easily. And they may also feel frozen between perfectionism and paralysis, hyper-fixating on 'doing everything right' and compulsively researching everything but, ultimately, are unable to act on what is discovered. Lack of spontaneity While routines can be stabilizing, reliance on them can become rigid. An unexpected school closure or a delayed nap can trigger a disproportionate amount of stress. Parents may find they lose the ability to be flexible and spontaneous in daily life and interactions with their children. 'You want to engage but can't bring yourself to build the Lego tower, read the silly book again, or dance in the living room,' Nadeau says. 'You just sit there, scrolling, nodding, or zoning out.' Decision overwhelm Parents may default to saying "yes" to everything because decision fatigue becomes paralyzing. Chronic indecision and a sense of overwhelm without a clear cause are common symptoms. 'You say yes to everything because making decisions—about snacks, screen time, bedtime—is exhausting or paralyzing,' says Nadeau. Avoidance Hard conversations and confrontation feel impossible. Some parents might stare at a wall during a tantrum or walk away without reacting. Others might appear calm in the moment, but later on begin crying unexpectedly or experience a panic attack. Disconnection from joy Some parents in a "functional freeze" may begin to dread the start of the day—even if they had enough rest. 'There's a flat sense of 'just get through the day' without the capacity to plan or hope for more,' Nadeau says. She calls this 'I-can't-even fatigue.' Why Parents Are Prone to This State Parents face a mix of low-grade, ongoing stressors: lack of autonomy and relentless societal pressure to keep performing. 'Parents are often juggling competing demands without adequate support,' says Tovar. 'The pressure to be emotionally available, physically present, financially responsible, and socially engaged can lead to chronic nervous system overload.' In response, the body may feel forced into a freeze state to conserve energy and protect against overwhelm. It doesn't help that modern parenting can be isolating and feel like being in a constant 'survival mode' state. In addition, parents can face added pressure to perform their caregiving responsibilities perfectly, regardless of personal wellbeing for the sake of their families. And for parents who have unprocessed trauma, particularly from their childhoods, their nervous systems may be more quick to default into a freeze Check-In Do I find myself avoiding tasks not because I'm too busy, but because I feel paralyzed? When I have downtime, do I struggle to relax or feel anything at all? Do I zone out or dissociate rather than feel restored or engaged? Do I feel emotionally numb or disconnected even when I'm around people I love? Am I doing what needs to be done as a parent, but feeling like I'm 'checked out," on 'auto-pilot,' just 'going through the motions,' or in 'survival mode'? Do I find it easier to just 'say yes' or let things go than to engage in setting boundaries or following through with parenting plans? Have I stopped doing activities that used to bring me joy or connection? If you've answered 'yes' to several of these questions, it is possible that you are experiencing functional freeze and it is worth exploring Impact on Kids and Family Life All parents have off days, but chronic functional freeze can subtly shift how a family operates. 'Functional freeze affects children in subtle but powerful ways,' Tovar says. 'Kids are highly attuned to their parents' emotional availability. Even if a parent is physically present, the child may sense emotional disconnection. This can lead to feelings of insecurity or confusion.' Nadeau gives the example of a child who excitedly runs over to a parent with a drawing they've made. In a freeze state, the parent isn't able to exude warmth or genuine interest which the child can pick up on. Eventually the child may stop sharing their excitement or accomplishments. In some cases, a child may develop a sense of responsibility to support the frozen parent by anticipating their needs and taking on a level of emotional labor that can be harmful. Here are a few other ways Tovar says that unaddressed functional freeze states can impact how a family relates to each other: Emotional expression between family members becomes limited or suppressed Children may learn to shut down or suppress their own emotions Relationships between family members become task-oriented rather than emotionally intimate Couples may experience emotional distancing Family members may "function" together, but grow increasingly isolated How to Begin 'Thawing' from Functional Freeze While feeling emotionally paralyzed in life can understandably feel overwhelming, it is possible to 'thaw' out of a functional freeze state and return to a connected internal experience. 'Fortunately, this state can shift—as all states can—with self-awareness, gentle disruption, support, and compassion,' says Nadeau. 'Even one small step towards presence can ripple outward into more connected parenting and deeper family relationships.' Here are some expert-backed ways to begin: Start with self-compassion. Recognize that functional freeze is a response by your brain to try to protect you. Reconnect with your body. 'Freeze states are somatic,' says Tovar. 'So begin with body awareness. Ask yourself: How am I breathing? Can I feel my feet on the ground?' When you force yourself to intentionally slow down you can begin building body awareness. Gentle stretching, walking while focusing on your senses, or rocking side to side can begin to reawaken the nervous system. Limit multitasking. Reduce feelings of overwhelm and practice being present by doing one activity at a time. 'Choose one task—folding laundry, brushing your child's hair—and do it mindfully,' Nadeau says. Make sure to avoid picking up your phone until you are done with the task. Find a rhythm. Rigidly adhering to routines without flexibility can be detrimental, but establishing supportive and rhythmic routines can be beneficial. 'Predictable routines like a morning walk, warm tea before bed, or daily journaling help reintroduce safety and structure,' Tovar says. Nourish your health. Tovar says it's important to incorporate 'grounding foods' in your daily diet. 'Include warm meals with complex carbohydrates, fiber-rich vegetables, and protein to stabilize blood sugar and support mood regulation,' she says. Engage your senses. Seek out calming sounds, textured fabrics, warm baths, or essential oils to gently stimulate sensory awareness. Nadeau says you can also make this a bonding activity with your child. 'Hold a warm mug together, play with kinetic sand or water beads, or light a scented candle while cooking,' she says. Rediscover joy. Break the cycle of being mindlessly task-focused by scheduling small pockets of play, creativity, or rest. Remind yourself that it's not possible to always be productive. Prioritize fresh air. Make sure to get yourself outside every day. 'Natural light and fresh air regulate circadian rhythms and support emotional clarity,' Tovar says. Understand the freeze. Journaling when you feel frozen or disconnected can help identify patterns and areas where support is needed. Use small moments to connect with your kids. Try sitting with your kids for five minutes with no agenda. You can put your hand gently on their back while they talk, or whisper something silly to shift the tone and increase the warmth between you. Make time for supportive relationships. 'Even brief, present-time interactions with a trusted friend or partner can help re-engage the social nervous system,' says Tovar. When To Seek Professional Help If these techniques aren't helping, or freeze states have lasted weeks or months, it may be time to reach out to a therapist. Signs you might benefit from therapy: You feel a desire to connect with your children but no longer know how to do so You've lost your sense of identity or purpose You're using food, screens, alcohol, or other behaviors to numb out daily You no longer experience joy or connection These can all be signs of a deeper issue, such as depression. Experts say the concept of functional freeze often captures a common form of depression that many parents experience without recognizing it. Depression can show up in different ways, and everyone has their own triggers—so if you feel stuck in a functional freeze, it's worth checking in with a profession to explore whether clinical depression might be at play. In these cases, Trovar explains that therapy can provide a safe space to explore what's going on beneath the surface, gently rewire the nervous system, and reconnect you with your internal world. She also says that cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and nervous system education can be especially effective. There are plenty of unrealistic expectations placed on parents' shoulders, but living in a constant state of numbness and disconnection shouldn't be one of them. Parents deserve to feel joy, connection, and satisfaction, and can take heart knowing that functional freeze is something they can break free from. Read the original article on Parents Solve the daily Crossword
