This year's theme for Mind's annual campaign, #timetotalk day. was loneliness and we ran together chatting and combatting the symptoms of loneliness. 

Here is what we shared with our group. 

Loneliness and Mental Health Loneliness is the feeling of lacking or loosing meaningful social connection or companionship. It can occur when there is a mismatch between the quantity and quality of our social relationships that we have, compared to those that we want. As a species we are biologically wired for social connection and contact. Loneliness is our bodies way of telling us we need more connection.

Loneliness isn’t classed as a mental health problem; however poor mental health and loneliness are closely linked.  Poor mental health can lead to loneliness, equally loneliness can negatively impact mental health.

Loneliness is often seen as a condition of the elderly, but it doesn’t peak at one age; research shows peaks across all ages. Including early adulthood, middle-age and again in old age. Causes of loneliness can be caused by major life-changes, including finishing school, moving for university, breakdowns of relationships, becoming parents, retirement or suffering a bereavement.

The longer we feel lonely, the more we can start to isolate ourselves and we can fall into a cycle of loneliness. We can start to feel like there is something wrong with us; Loneliness can make us feel that the world is unfriendly and a scary place.

It is important to understand the loneliness is a normal human emotion - nearly everyone in the world has experienced it some point. Left unchecked, chronic, long-term loneliness can lead to mental health conditions like anxiety or depression.

Loneliness can often feeling overwhelming and out of our control. Feeling less lonely involves starting to build social connections, practice self-compassion and changing routines.

Strategies for overcoming loneliness can include:

Keep in touch with people: Regular chats with friends and family can help to combat loneliness. Talking to someone in that moment can really help when your feeling alone.

Join a group: Being part of a group or club is a great way to connect with and meet people .as well as developing skills and your own interests.

Social Media: Social media is a great tool for connecting, but only if it is used to connect, not just passively consumed. Remember to take a break if using social media is causing feelings of inadequacy.

Do things you enjoy: Filling your time doing things that you like can be a way to stop you focussing on your loneliness.

Share your feelings: Talk to others about how you’re feeling. Try not to compare yourself to others, especially what you see on social media, and can make you feel lonelier.

Self-care: Practice self-care and compassion. Be kind to yourself, and understand that the feelings are temporary and not to blame.

Get Outside: Spend time in nature, such as parks or by water, which can reduce stress and increase feelings of connection to the world.

Engage in physical activity: Exercise and engaging in physical activity is a known and excellent way to improve mood and offer opportunities for soical interaction - arrange a date with a friend to get a coffee, go for a walk and have a catch up. Join an exercise class.

Run Together Canterbury is a friendly, social and supportive group that can offer friendship, connection and support. We hold “Social Runs” every Thursday night, with the focus on the “social” as much as the “running”. Our group can support you to exercise, get outside and reach your goals, and build real community.

People can experience different types of loneliness:

Emotional loneliness: A lack of emotional attachment to someone, like a friend, family member or a pet.

Chronic loneliness: When you feel lonely all or most of the time. Social loneliness: When you feel like you’re lacking a wider social network of friends.

Transient loneliness: A feeling that comes and goes.

Situational loneliness: Loneliness which you only feel at certain times like holidays and weekends.

Health experts now consider loneliness and isolation as damaging to health and mental well being as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and lacking social isolation as more harmful than obesity.

Loneliness can increase the risk of coronary heart disease by 29% and the risk of stroke by 32%

Loneliness is strongly linked to depression, anxiety, cognitive decline and an increase risk of dementia.

Loneliness can lead to a weakened immune response to infections.

Increases the risk of type 2 diabetes and higher chronic pain.

It increases unhealthy behavioural effects, including unhealthy diets, reduced physical activity and increased smoking.

Organisations that can help If you are struggling or need to talk, please consider contacting one of the following organisations:

• Contact or talk to one of our amazing Mental Health Champions at Run Together Canterbury for support.

• Immediate help is available via Samaritans. Call 116 123 or text Text “Shout” to 85258 (24 hours, daily) www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

• Campaign to End Loneliness have resources for connecting and reducing isolation. They can be contacted on 0800 58 58 58, 5pm – midnight, daily. www.thecalmzone.net/help/get-help/

• Mind have resources, information and support for mental health and loneliness. They can be contacted on 0300 123 3393, 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday. www.mind.org.uk

• The British Red Cross have a range of resources and a dedicated helpline if you feel lonely or worried about loneliness. They can be contacted on 0808 196 3651, 10am – 6pm, daily. www.redcross.org.uk/get-help

• Sense: a range of advice, support and services on disability and loneliness. They contacted on 0300 330 9256, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. www.sense.org.uk/get-in-touch/contact-information-and-advice/

• SupportLine can give confidential and emotional support for people who are isolated or at risk. The can be contacted on 01708 765 200 www.supportline.org.uk