Tips Offered for Overcoming Loneliness During an Iowa Winter

The holidays can be a joyful time for many Iowans, but others may feel isolated and lonely, especially during the winter months.

Jennifer Linse, an advanced practice social worker with Emplify Health by Gundersen, says loneliness often increases during Iowa winters as cold weather keeps people indoors and socially isolated.

“If people are wanting to talk about loneliness or explore their feelings or experience with loneliness, I would certainly encourage them to connect with a counselor,” Linse says. “Through counseling, we can help people get connected to resources or find some social supports that they’re already involved in.”

Linse says loneliness can occur even when people are surrounded by others.

“From the minute you’re born, you’re born to connect with other people,” Linse says. “That’s our human experience. We are social beings, and that human connection is really important.”

She says people who are overweight may experience discrimination that can increase feelings of loneliness.

“There’s this idea in our society of what the ideal person is, including body image,” Linse says. “We hear people talk about or experience what we might call fat-shaming, and that can make people feel very lonely.”

Linse says social media, when used intentionally, can help people find connections.

“Typically when we think about social media, we find it to be isolating,” Linse says. “But there are groups and activities happening online that can connect you with others. For some people, it’s just dipping your toe into being with others in your community.”

She also suggests small changes, such as taking a book to a library or coffee shop instead of staying home, as ways to increase interaction with others.

Emplify Health by Gundersen has clinics in Fayette, Decorah, Waukon, Lansing, Postville and Calmar, and a hospital in West Union.