Thrive Together: 8 Tips to Prevent Loneliness for Health and We…
Swetha Mukherjee
Yes, people who seem to have it “all,” can also become the victims of this disease.
Such was the case with Steve, an accomplished businessman, dedicated to his career.
Hard work and determination were his mantras for climbing the ladder of success. The trophies that adorned his office, painted the true picture of his triumph.
But his relentless pursuit for success left little room for personal connections.
Meaningful relationships got reduced to missed calls and unimportant text messages. Family gatherings that he once enjoyed being a part of, became mere calendar appointments.
Consequence?
In his world of success, loneliness became his constant companion.
While people were envious of his so-called “successful” life, Steve was fighting a lone battle against loneliness that was taking a toll on his health.
Can you relate to the challenges Steve faced in maintaining his relationships while he sought after success?
If your story is like that of his, then it’s time to pause and reflect.
In your quest for success, don’t overlook the fact that loneliness can become a hindering part of your journey.
We’re here to help, by taking you on a transformative journey to find your way in preventing loneliness.
This article will delve into :
What is the meaning of loneliness?
According to the APA or the American Psychological Association, loneliness is the cognitive discomfort or uneasiness from the actual or perceived state of being alone.
In other words, loneliness is a common human experience. You might feel lonely when you are alone or have the feeling of being alone.
But does loneliness mean being alone?
What is the difference between being alone and being lonely?
Being alone isn’t the same as feeling lonely.
According to expert opinion, being alone is a “state,” whereas loneliness is an “emotion.”
Being alone can be your choice. In fact, spending some time by yourself can benefit your mental health.
Do you ever want to be lonely? No, it is an involuntary feeling.
But loneliness is not exclusively rooted to physical isolation. It can stem from feeling detached from meaningful relationships as well.
It's a profound sense of disconnection, often accompanied by the absence of a sense of belonging and support, regardless of the number of social interactions one may have.
While it’s a common notion that those who are alone are inevitably lonely, the reality is quite different.
You can be alone and not be bogged down by the feeling of loneliness. But on the flipside, you can be in the company of many and still feel lonely.
What are the main causes of loneliness?
Understanding the root causes can be your first step towards preventing loneliness.
But there’s no “particular” cause of loneliness.
According to a study by The University of Edinburgh, people of different generations are equally lonely, but for various reasons.
However, some common life events that cause loneliness include the following:
- Relocating to a different area or a new country, with no social connection
- Death of a friend or a family member
- Retirement from professional career
- Suffering from a break-up
- Mental health issues
- Starting college
- Job change
Have any of these situations ever made you lonely?
What are the effects of loneliness on health?
Many people dismiss loneliness as a mere emotion.
Yet, this “emotion” poses health risks equivalent to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.
Surprising, isn’t it?
Loneliness not only affects our emotional well-being, but also takes a toll on our physical health and lifestyle.
1. Loneliness can shorten your lifespan
- You’ll be surprised to know that people with strong social connections have a 50% higher chance of living longer than those who are lonely.
- Loneliness is, in fact, significantly related to mortality.
- Studies also show that loneliness results in a 26% increased likelihood of early mortality.
2. Loneliness is bad for your heart health
- Studies link loneliness to a 29% increased risk of coronary heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.
- Social isolation and loneliness become major factors for increasedblood pressure, especially in women.
- For people with heart failures, increased loneliness results in:
-68% higher risk of hospitalisation
-3.5 times higher risk of deaths
-57% increase in the risk of visits to the emergency department
3. Loneliness may trigger the risk of depression
- A meta-analysis, covering 88 studies on 40,068 individuals, connects loneliness as a significant variable causing depression.
- In the case of young adults, those who are lonely and less connected to others, often feel depressed. This depression increases, with an increase in loneliness.
- Loneliness causes symptoms of depression in older adults (50 years and above) as well.
4. Loneliness can cause the immune system to falter
- Studies suggest that loneliness alters your immune system.
- Loneliness can weaken cellular immunity and increase inflammation. As a result of this, you become prone to illness.
- Further, chronic inflammation leads to various inflammatory diseases like diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
5. Other major effects of loneliness include:
- Aging
Is becoming successful lonely?
According to Jordan B. Peterson, a Canadian clinical Psychologist, an exclusive focus on your career can give you a flourishing career. But the problem is, you won't get a life to enjoy if you neglect personal connections in the process.
Success gives you a great sense of accomplishment. But do you find it jeopardising your relationships?
Well, success can be a double-edged sword.
Here’s how it can affect your relationships:
- As an individual obsessed with your goals, you lack the time and energy to nurture social relationships and build social networks.
You might find it challenging to connect with like-minded people with similar goals and interests. Only a select few can understand your level of ambition and your constant drive for success.
- You place paramount importance on external accomplishments and overlook the importance of nurturing relationships with others–a factor crucial for your emotional and social well-being.
This work-life imbalance causes you to lose out on your relationships.
Result? Stress, burnout and loneliness.
But this can change.
The saying, “It’s lonely at the top,” doesn't have to be a certainty.
Success can be a shared journey, not a lonely peak.
A journey where your achievements are not marked in solitude, but are celebrated in full glory by your loved ones.
By understanding how to prevent loneliness from affecting your success, the highs of your professional life can feel more fulfilling than ever.
8 Tips to Prevent Loneliness
Good news is-you can prevent loneliness!
The path to avoid loneliness might not be easy, but with conscious efforts, you can combat and keep this disease at bay.
We’ll show you how to do that.
Below are 8 tips to prevent loneliness from affecting your life:
1. Build new social connections by joining groups
Create a life outside work. Consider joining a club or a gym. Are you interested in cooking? Or art? Then enrol yourself in a cooking class or take weekly art lessons.
These are great ways of meeting new people who share similar interests like yours. You can build quality social connections with them.
Also, being part of a club or a class gives you a sense of belonging, a primary need of every human being. This sense of belonging can help you combat loneliness in preventing loneliness.
2. Strengthen your existing bonds
Make your work a part of your world - not your only world.
Your family and friends matter. They are your social support network and communicating with them can prove wonders for your psychological health.
Be present for the birthday parties and the family get togethers instead of making an excuse for absence. Call your friends more often, and meet up for coffee or dinners.
No, it won’t be easy right away. But make a conscious effort. Start slow.
Along with building new relationships, strengthening the existing ones too can help prevent loneliness.
3. Stay connected through virtual modes if meeting in person isn’t possible
It is quite natural to relocate to a new city for your job or for other professional reasons. And it is also natural to feel lonely and overwhelmed in an unfamiliar environment with total strangers.
In such circumstances, make use of technology to bridge the gap with your loved ones, who may be miles away from you.
Research shows that virtual interactions can reduce loneliness when in-person communication isn’t possible.
Connect with your loved ones virtually and beat the feeling of loneliness in a new city.
4. Rekindle your hobbies
Do you have a hobby? Something that brings you pure joy but you have been neglecting lately?
Anything you enjoy and are good at, apart from your profession?
If yes, then that’s the key to preventing loneliness.
Get involved in activities that you enjoy. By engaging in activities you love, you keep your mind occupied. And you remain distracted from the shadows of loneliness.
5. Get in the habit of practising gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful force against loneliness.
Loneliness can make your world seem dark and hopeless. But gratitude can bring light into the darkest corners.
And practising gratitude doesn’t have to be about only something big and significant. You can be grateful for even the simpler things in your life.
Did you have a conversation with a friend that made you laugh your heart out? Or had a meal that tasted scrumptious? Make it a point to acknowledge these happy moments.
Shift your mind towards the good in your life to tackle the gloominess that loneliness creates.
6. Focus on self-care
Prioritise your self-care, especially if you are a workaholic executive with high level responsibilities.
The higher you climb in your professional world, there are fewer peers at your level. Not having enough people to share your problems with can make you feel stressed, lonely and isolated.
Make self-care a part of your lifestyle. Follow a proper diet along with regular exercise.
Explore meditation practices and maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
Your physical and mental health can be your greatest allies in your battle against loneliness, when you are rested and energised it is easier to connect with others.
7. Be helpful to others
Volunteering to help others can give you a sense of value, satisfaction, and joy. This can help you beat loneliness.
People enjoy the company of someone who helps them and makes them feel good about themselves. This increases your self-worth and self-confidence which can act as a shield against loneliness.
8. Don’t shy away from seeking help
It is OKAY to feel lonely. Almost every one of us experiences it at some point or the other.
So don’t think you are a lone soldier on the battlefield.
Reach out to someone you can talk with about your feelings. It can be a family member or a professional therapist if the situation demands so.
Getting the right help on time can prevent loneliness from causing further damage. A therapist or a coach can help you identify the causes of your isolation and help you build strategies to create new connections and relationships.
Conclusion
As you strive on the path of success and navigate its pressing demands, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential presence of loneliness in your journey.
This silent companion often coexists with success. And loneliness causes major health consequences and affects mortality.
Research proves beyond doubt that you shouldn’t ignore loneliness.
In the pursuit of success, it’s easy to sideline the importance of human connections. The work-life imbalance causes social relationships to suffer, causing loneliness and isolation.
The solution lies in recognising the value of social connections. Understand that your relationships are not hindrances. In fact, they act as a catalyst for living a more fulfilling, long and a healthy life.
We invite you to start that journey as one with theHOLON Community, made of people like yourself - the Holoners. This is your space to celebrate each others’ success while nurturing genuine bonds.
Being a Holoner helps you take proactive steps to build meaningful connections with like-minded individuals.
We understand the delicate balance between ambition and social relationships.
What steps will you take today to prioritise social connections and prevent loneliness on your journey to success?
Disclaimer:
The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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Posted Mar 1, 2024
“Of all the diseases I have known, loneliness is the worst.”---Mother Teresa Have you ever felt lonely in the pursuit of your goals? A silent adversary to your…
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