Don’t Let Loneliness Get You Down, Let Wisdom Bring You Up

Never in the history of humanity have we had the opportunity to be so connected, and yet, people find themselves lonelier than ever. A study published in International Psychogeriatrics (2018) found that three-fourths of Americans experience moderate to high levels of loneliness. Loneliness, it seems, follows people throughout their lives, with particularly high rates observed in individuals in their late 20s, 50s, and late 80s.

This pervasive loneliness isn’t just a psychological issue—it’s linked to physical illness as well. While no age, race, or gender is immune to loneliness, sociodemographic factors can influence its impact throughout one’s life. Interestingly, the study revealed a paradox of aging: as physical health declines, mental health often improves with age.

The Role of Wisdom in Combating Loneliness

Could improving mental health be linked to the age-old concept of wisdom? A University of California at San Diego study explored this idea by assessing wisdom using the San Diego Wisdom Score. The study suggested that wisdom might be a potent antidote to loneliness.

According to the Lexico Oxford dictionary, wisdom is “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.” Often associated with traits like resilience, perseverance, and optimism, wisdom typically defines a person who has learned from life’s lessons, grown through mistakes, and developed empathy for others. The USC study identified six components of wisdom: control over emotions, compassion, self-reflection, acceptance of uncertainty and diversity of views, decisiveness, and spirituality.

The study found that “Wisdom had the largest impact on loneliness, followed by living alone and mental well-being.” While living alone can contribute to social isolation, wisdom offers a protective factor. Continuous learning and exploration are key to fostering wisdom, and for many, the quest for knowledge is a way to combat loneliness, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Learning as a Path to Connection and Wisdom

So, how can older adults avoid loneliness and gain wisdom at the same time? GetSetUp is tackling social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19, one grain of wisdom at a time. The platform has cultivated a vast wealth of wisdom by creating a space where educators over 50 teach their peers skills to help them stay connected and empowered.

Wade, one of GetSetUp’s wisdom Guides, teaches skills like setting up Zoom tools, enabling adult learners to stay in touch with friends, family, and colleagues. Another Guide, Marge, helps peers navigate Medicare, ensuring they are prepared for life’s next challenges. Glenda guides users on how to use their iPads effectively, learning new skills herself as she teaches others. She loves that being a Guide allows her to continuously learn new technology tools, keeping her mind sharp and engaged.

GetSetUp tackles isolation and loneliness head-on by ensuring that Guides, adult learners, and their loved ones remain connected and interacting. Socializing through fun, live, interactive classes helps learners keep their minds active, which is essential as we age, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The Hidden Face of Loneliness

Not all lonely people recognize their symptoms as loneliness. According to the study in International Psychogeriatrics, less than 10% of those asked if they feel lonely admit it, yet tests show that loneliness is much more common than people realize. Wisdom, through the pursuit of knowledge, may help combat the mental and physical pains of loneliness.

While many courses are available online, only GetSetUp offers customized classes for those over 50, taught by their peers. Learners keep returning for more grains of wisdom, interactive socialization, and self-paced learning in a tell-show-do environment. Whether driven by a thirst for knowledge or a deeper need for human interaction, these return students find a supportive community at GetSetUp.

Regardless of living circumstances, wisdom can positively impact the quality of social relationships and may offer a unique solution to loneliness, especially for the most at-risk groups—those over 50. GetSetUp has harnessed the wisdom of its Guides to offer lifelong learning opportunities in small groups or one-on-one. From basic technology skills to advanced communication tools for small businesses or government services, GetSetUp has a class for it!

See what unique grain of wisdom may help you or someone you love fight loneliness.