Many of us experience loneliness at one point or another in our lives, be it through loss of a loved one, living alone, even living with someone but still feeling alone. The Covid-19 pandemic saw a huge up rise in depression and anxiety cases bought on through isolation in lockdown. Working from home became the norm, as did Zoom meetings, and social media exploded as a way of communicating with each other.
For the first time ever, we faced the same issues worldwide and understood, to some extent, those who struggled greatly with financial difficulties, isolation and loneliness. We became in sync with one another and now the world has begun turning again, some still struggle with feelings of being alone in the world, while everyone else appears to be coping just fine. Appearances can be deceptive however, but if you are feeling lonely, all you tend to see is everyone having a great time, being successful at work and living life to the fullest, leading you further down the road to depression. Â Â Â
The perils of loneliness expand into the mental and physical state. A person lacking social connections has a greater risk of heart disease, dementia, anxiety and depression. In the workplace, job performance is decreased, as the ability to make decisions is diminished and creativity stalls. The obvious link between loneliness and depression has perhaps the biggest health implication of all, as it is the most common and most neglected of all mental health issues.
So, what can you do to address how you feel? How does a person increase their social network when climbing out of their comfort zone seems insurmountable? Social isolation often has roots in early childhood, when trust is fractured or a stable foundation crumbles. The effects of the pandemic may have bought these feelings to the surface, but have likely always been there.
Self-care is critical and requires outside assistance in clearing the mental blocks that prohibit social advancement. Finding a voice and sharing this information with an understanding professional can positively reverse the effects of long-term loneliness and help pave the road to a positive mindset.
It is also imperative to recognise that solitude provides space for healing and for setting an intention to work on relationships. During this transition, find others that share common ground and also seem disconnected from a social network. Be intentional about forging forward in creating new relationships and empower others by being a supportive friend. Helping others (even volunteering) is a soothing remedy for loneliness and provides an opportunity to see personal circumstances in a different light.
Sweeping away the mental cobwebs that have been holding you back is a cleansing of the body and mind. Your focus will become much sharper, you will no longer fear going out and meeting new people and your overall health will improve dramatically, and most importantly you will recognise that you are good company for yourself. You are enough.