“Given that loneliness affects a sizable portion of the global population, it is past due to have a thorough discussion. It may show up physically, cognitively, or even wake you up at night. Look for ways to handle it.”
The sense of loneliness is one that practically all of us have once encountered. We would want to fill it with friends, family, and other loved ones, almost like a void, but for some reason, it remains empty.
According to research, loneliness is associated with a higher risk of mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, substance addiction, and suicide ideation. It has also been linked to poorer outcomes in terms of physical health.
A Statista poll from November 2022 found that 33 per cent of respondents worldwide reported feeling lonely. This is a sizable amount in a world with more than eight billion people, and loneliness is a problem that requires quick action.
It emphasises the importance of learning how to deal with loneliness in order to lower your chance of acquiring mental health problems.
Loneliness and mental health: A connection
Mental health is directly impacted by feeling alone. It could have a beneficial or negative impact, but most of the time, people experience unfavourable consequences.
According to a paper in the National Library of Medicine, loneliness has been connected to personality disorders, alcoholism, increased risks of dementia, bereavement, child abuse, suicidal ideation, stress, and depression (How To Help Someone Dealing With Depression).
How loneliness affects your mental & physical health?
According to the psychotherapist, loneliness can take numerous forms. Therefore, it’s crucial to spot early warning signals to keep your physical and mental health unhampered.
Indicators include:
Low level of focus
Oversharing or going too far
Being sleep deprived
Immune system weakness
Lack of professionalism at work
“People experiencing loneliness may feel a lack of purpose, decreased motivation, and reduced self-esteem,” the experts continued.
People may now tune out the outside world and more easily lose themselves in a fictional one thanks to social media. Ironically, while it has made it simpler for individuals to connect online, it has also made people feel more isolated since it fosters a false feeling of social connectivity that is less rewarding than encounters with real people.
People can compare themselves to others in an unhealthy environment, which exacerbates feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
According to statistics, teenagers who use social media for more than three hours every day are more likely to experience psychological and mental health problems.
Self-image can be helped or hurt by social media posts. This is particularly dangerous considering the ongoing self-esteem issues that teens and adults face.
Who is most likely to experience loneliness?
There is no age limit for loneliness. People of any age, gender, or social status may be affected. However, those who have gone through a significant life transition, such as retirement, moving to a new place, losing a loved one, or having previously experienced a mental health crisis, are more prone to experience loneliness.
Despite having a strong support network of family and friends, teenagers are nevertheless susceptible to experiencing loneliness if they believe they are being misunderstood or are unable to fit in.
Managing loneliness: What can you do?
Ask for assistance from loved ones, family, friends, and mental health professionals.
Consider taking up a hobby to keep oneself busy.
Join social organisations or work for a worthwhile cause.
Consistently work out to keep healthy and fit
If using social media negatively affects you, makes you feel horrible about yourself, or encourages harmful behaviours, limit your usage.
Try to join social groups, network more, and establish enduring connections.
If nothing seems to be working out for you, think about scheduling a consultation with a professional. You don’t have to handle anything by yourself.