The Loneliness  Bug

Lonely people are more likely to die of cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory problems and gastric problems than the Non-Lonely. You as a human being are supposed to be connected to other human beings. This need for connectedness is wired so deeply that if you are rejected socially or excluded from society in any way, it hurts like an actual wound. Loneliness kills!

Another research showed that, if you have less than three people whom you could confide in and lean for emotional support, you have double the chances of dying from heart diseases. You also have double the likelihood of dying of all the causes even if age, earnings, and smoking levels are comparable.

Besides, premature death, loneliness is the contributor to many more health-related woes. Lonely people, in general, suffer from more severe symptoms of the same disease than the non-lonely. Chronic Loneliness leads to low immunity, cognitive decline, and dementia. If you feel lonely you have double the chances of developing Alzheimer’s.

Loneliness and depression often go hand in hand. Hence, Loneliness is a Psychological condition in which you feel empty, have feelings of lack of control, perceive yourself as worthless; similar to some of the symptoms of depression. Although depression does not necessarily predict loneliness. Loneliness leads to an increase in symptoms of depression apart from increased stress, anxiety and anger.

What is Loneliness?

Loneliness is not just being alone. Traditionally you must have come to believe that Loneliness effects those who are unmarried, divorced, having less extended family etc. But Loneliness is your subjective experience and is exclusive of the fact that you are married, divorced, widowed etc. Loneliness is then a perceptual state that depends more on the quality of your relationships and not just the number of connections you have. You can also feel lonely with a vast social network and hundreds of friends. The subjective loneliness you experience is a big risk factor than actual social  Isolation. It is more about how you feel than what your social connections look like.

How  to Fight Loneliness

Talk to strangers

Talk to someone sitting next to you on the bus on the route to the office. Small talk does more good than it looks like. You will feel much better after talking for only 30 seconds with someone than an hour of online interaction.

Converse for seven minutes

It takes seven minutes to know that the conversation is going to be interesting or not. You reveal yourself after those initial hitches and hulls and start to connect at a deeper level.

Choose face time

Being there is person Is the best way of communication, but when this is not possible choose FACETIME by video call.

Use social media Wisely’

Create smaller social networks within the large ones. Sharing opinions, reactions with a selective group of people is more meaningful.

Know your neighbor

Research found out that better connections in neighborhood lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases. Arrange for a coffee terrace party with your neighbors and you will find yourself healthier and happier.

Invite for a Dinner

Eating together is a form of social collective event that brings people closer.

Be Creative

Organize a craft night with a closed group having common interests. Any form of art will help you connect with other people without actually talking about yourself.

“ When someone else pays attention to you and in turn allows you to connect to them through shared experience the human circuit gets completed; so you are connected “

Talk out

Just talk about your feelings and you will feel much less lonely. Call a friend for a date, or speak to your parents, colleagues to tell how you feel, share the load.

Touch –Literally

Touch is a powerful medicine. Hence, Pat someone on the back, hold their hands or hug. Physical touch will lower your physiological stress, will increase immunity, help you recover from inflammation and infection. It will release oxytocin; the feel-good hormone which in turn will strengthen your social bonds.