Image by Viktor Ivanchenko from Pixabay

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If you’re facing the holidays and already missing your friends and family, you’re not alone in your loneliness. According to a November survey of 2,042 people, 7 out of 10 adults reported feeling lonely because of the pandemic.

Conducted Nov. 6 to 11, the survey found that more than half of respondents said their loneliness stems from the isolation necessary to combat the coronavirus.

But a closer look at the data shows older adults in general don’t feel as lonely as younger people do. In fact, the survey found that 44% of those 55 and older said they didn’t feel lonely at all, while members of Generation Z (18 to 23), millennials (24 to 39) and Generation Xers (40 to 54) were the most likely to feel the strongest loneliness.

Gen Xers were also the most likely to report feeling “extremely lonely” heading into the holiday season.

“Older Americans are a lot more resilient than people give them credit for,” said Andrew Hurst, data writer with LendingTrees’ insurance subsidiary, ValuePenguin, which conducted the survey.

The survey revealed that 47% of older adults said they were willing to hunker down for the holidays, cancelling traditional gatherings.

“Those in the older generation were the most likely to have changed their plans,” Hurst said. “Our findings showed that these older Americans are not only making the decision not to see family because of the coronavirus, but that they’re okay with it.”

They’re also not demanding extra attention, according to the recent survey. About 45% said they wanted their relatives to contact them during the pandemic, and 63% were satisfied with how often they see their relatives.

“Older Americans are turning to the younger Americans and saying, ‘We’re fine, and we accept the severity of this pandemic,’” Hurst said. “They’re making that decision themselves.”

See the full survey results at valuepenguin.com/coronavirus-causing-holiday-loneliness.