Loneliness

Loneliness

Science is now showing that loneliness can cause many physically and emotionally damaging health issues – many of which were observed during the Covid-19 isolation period.

Loneliness is a universal human emotion that is both complex and unique to each individual. Because it has no single common cause, the prevention and treatment of this potentially damaging state of mind can vary dramatically.

For example, a lonely child who struggles to make friends at school has different needs than a lonely older adult whose spouse has recently died.

While common definitions of loneliness describe it as a state of solitude or being alone, loneliness is actually a state of mind. Loneliness causes people to feel empty, alone, and unwanted. People who are lonely often crave human contact, but their state of mind makes it more difficult to form connections with other people.

Researchers suggest that loneliness is associated with social isolation, poor social skills, introversion, and depression.

Loneliness, according to many experts, is not necessarily about being alone. Instead, if you feel alone and isolated, then that is how loneliness plays into your state of mind.

While research clearly shows that loneliness and isolation are bad for both mental and physical health, being alone is not the same as being lonely. In fact, solitude actually has a number of important mental health benefits, including allowing people to better focus and recharge.

• Loneliness is marked by feelings of isolation despite wanting social connections. It is often perceived as an involuntary separation, rejection, or abandonment by other people.

• Solitude, on the other hand, is voluntary. People who enjoy spending time by themselves continue to maintain positive social relationships that they can return to when they crave connection. They still spend time with others, but these interactions are balanced with periods of time alone.

Loneliness has a wide range of negative effects on both physical and mental health, including:

• Alcohol and drug misuse

• Altered brain function

• Alzheimer's disease progression

• Antisocial behavior

• Cardiovascular disease and stroke5

• Decreased memory and learning

• Depression and suicide

• Increased stress levels

• Poor decision-making

Some of you may have watched the Netflix Program “Alone” where a group of people are taken to a remote part of British Columbia where they are separated and have no other human contact – until such time as they use an emergency phone to be collected and flown back.

Where they are left there is a population of Grizzly Bears, Wolves and wild Cats – adding to the stress and danger.

The “prize” is $500,000 for the last one to survive, so there is quite an incentive.

They all start off very positive in the area they are dropped off in and set about building their own shelter and then they have to catch their own food. As the days and weeks go one, the weather turns into winter and loneliness sets in, and you can observe the mental deuteriation of many of the contestants.

Whilst physically very challenging, I feel it is the isolation and loneliness that “breaks” many of the contestants who have to give in and request to be rescued.

According to Verywell mind magazine Statistics suggest that loneliness is becoming increasingly prevalent, particularly in younger generations. According to one 2019 survey, 25% of adults between the ages of 18 and 27 reported having no close friends, while 22% reported having no friends at all.

The rise of the internet and ironically, social media, are partially to blame.

Experts believe that it is not the quantity of social interaction that combats loneliness, but the quality.

Having a few close friends is enough to ward off loneliness and reduce the negative health consequences associated with this state of mind. Research suggests that the experience of actual face-to-face contact with friends helps boost people's sense of well-being.

So, what can we do to help people we know who may be lonely?

My suggestion is we reach out and make contact to see if there is anything you can do – maybe if they are elderly go to the shop, do a few chores around the house – or better still invite them to join you for a cup of tea!

It takes very little on our part – but can make a huge difference to someone who, for whatever reason, is lonely and isolated.

Try it and see!

Love & Light

 Roger

“For those who understand – no explanation is necessary – for those who do not understand, no amount of explaining will be sufficient”