Local counselor: Check your social wellness and reconnect with the Jacksonville community

"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever know," sang Harry Nilsson in 1968, a powerful lyric. We often hear it on TV or in the movies when the main character is downtrodden, feeling isolated or left to fend for themselves.

Loneliness can be just that, isolating to the extent that we are stuck in a cycle of thinking we're all alone in this world. We separate ourselves from our friends, family and activities that we used to enjoy.

According to a recent study, most people discuss their problems with a family member (56%), a close friend (55%) or their spouse/partner (46%). But what happens when you don't have those individuals in your life or a support network? When someone doesn't have a robust support system, they might find combating loneliness much more difficult.

Loneliness is something that we all experience at some point in our lives, but why are we feeling more lonely today and how does that impact our mental health? A big part of it comes from the aftereffects of COVID-19. Many of us have gone to remote or hybrid jobs that place us at home and not around others during the day. The pandemic has made being stuck at home the “norm,” in a sense.

Why leave the comfort of our home when we can reach people over social media or a text or a phone call? However, that isn’t the same as going into the office or even just going out to the grocery store. It is not personal interaction and the lack of that can often lead to us feeling lonely.

Having the support of friends and family can be incredibly helpful. When you need advice, want to "spill some tea" or just miss your mom, technology can help keep you connected. But seeing your support system face to face can be even more beneficial. A big part of our human nature craves connection, so spending time sharing an activity or a meal to have that kind of interaction can be incredibly valuable, especially for someone dealing with loneliness.

There are a variety of resources in the Jacksonville area that can aid in building and reinforcing a support system. If you're into any sport, whether it's kickball, billiards or volleyball, there are leagues all over Jacksonville, such as Jax Fray, Stonewall Sports, WAKA or Jax Scene.

These leagues offer weekday and weekend opportunities and you can join with friends or as a "free agent" to meet new people. For those who want to meet others aligned in their faith, many churches in our area offer services and smaller meet-ups.

There are also resources like MeetUp, a site that organizes group meet-ups for things such as walks or activities like painting or going to a specific event, such as a concert. Joining a gym for those interested in fitness is another great way to meet like-minded people.

There are a wide range of fitness centers, such as OrangeTheory, the YMCA, F45 and Burn Fitness Group, which provide classes throughout the week as an excellent opportunity to get a good workout and meet new people.

[LETTERS LINK]

While too much time on social media can be a detriment, it is also a valuable tool to help you connect with your local community. Look at groups such as "StufftodoinJacksonville" or "904happyhour" on Instagram to find activities.

Whether relying on friends, family and co-workers or looking for an outside resource, there are many resources in the Jacksonville area to help you find your niche and community. Branching out to meet new people, build relationships and try new things are just a few ways to bolster our support systems.

Focusing on our social wellness is vital to battling the effects of loneliness. One may be the loneliest number, but it just takes trying a new thing or two to make a positive change.

Hallie Kritsas is a licensed mental health counselor with Thriveworks in Jacksonville.

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville has plenty of resources to build social wellness