LONELINESS hurts. Most of us have experienced this. Especially in this time of quarantine, many can feel lonely.
With the advent of technology and social media and the ever-increasing speed of life, we may feel more connected in some ways, but, on the other hand, “human moments” of actual face-to-face exchange without interruption can become more rare.
I strongly agree with Emma Seppälä, Ph.D., who is the science director of Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and the author of The Happiness Track (HarperOne, 2016).
A sociological study shows that disconnect seems to be on the rise, with one out of four Americans feeling like they have no one to talk to about personal problems. Loneliness is the leading reason people seek out therapy, and one study suggests that loneliness is a risk factor for mortality. As I have written about in previous posts, social connection is critical to our health and well-being, as is vulnerability, an essential ingredient to intimacy.
Some people may only feel lonely at certain times. But some people may experience chronic loneliness. This is a deep feeling of loneliness that goes on for a long time. You may be around others and still feel like you’re alone.
Reach out to friends and family: In this modern world, there are so many ways you can connect with the people who mean the most to you.
Is it okay to be alone without friends? Unsociability isn’t a negative thing — it just means that you don’t particularly care whether you interact with others. You might already recognize that alone time boosts your imagination and allows creativity to flourish.
Some try to surround themselves with “friends” only to find out that such a relationship is sometimes shallow and unsatisfying.
Let’s keep an eye, not only on your personal interests but also on the interests of others. Look around and see who needs help. Once you have spotted such a person, act!
Human relationships, however, can never entirely satisfy all our needs. I am happy and blessed living with my Filipino family since 1999 for good. Together with my family members I started very simple. People can focus on building a positive relationship with themselves and prioritizing self-care. This may include taking care of their mental and physical health and doing enjoyable, relaxing activities, such as reading, listening to music, or learning a new skill.
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