Do you experience loneliness?
The HeartMath organization says:
"Loneliness takes a toll on both our mental and physical health. The stats are alarming: Studies have shown that more than half of Americans report being lonely (most are young people), and loneliness increases our risk of heart disease by 29 percent, stroke by 32 percent, and the development of dementia by 50 percent in older adults.
Surprisingly, loneliness is also associated with a 60 percent increased risk of premature death."
The COVID-19 pandemic increased our feelings of loneliness, with many individuals still grappling with its effects.
We can be lonely in a relationship, with friends around us. We can feel isolated because we are experiencing overwhelm and anxiety. We can be lonely because we are alone. There are many scenarios.
Meaningful friendships and deep, trustworthy relationships offer numerous benefits, and it is more important to spend quality time with people.
It's not about how many friends we have, it's about the the quality of those friendships. Close friendships, deep connections to others we can trust, can
increase our sense of belonging and purpose
boost our happiness and reduce our stress
improve our self-confidence and self-worth
positively impacts our immune system
help us cope with traumas and stressful events
Heartfelt connections can reduce our risk for other health concerns, like high blood pressure and depression as noted by the Mayo Clinic, which states that older adults with meaningful relationships and social supports tend to live longer.
Most kids make friends easily - although I was not one of those kids, but it is definitely harder for adults to develop deep friendships. Life gets in the way, we have other priorities, we get stuck in a rut, and we get comfortable in our life, even if we are lonely.
I found as I got older, it got even harder to make friends. By the time I reached my mid-30s, I realized I had almost no friends and I made the decision to change that.
I'm an introvert and was incredibly shy when I was younger; each time I spoke to a stranger was terrifying. But as part of my own self-growth and self-care, I persevered and it paid off. Not only do I have a wide circle of friends now, but I am pretty comfortable speaking in front of others.
Lonely people aren't carrying a sign that says I'm Lonely, but they are out there. If you are experiencing loneliness, here are some ways you might meet new people:
Join a community club or attend a community event
Volunteer
Take up a new hobby or join a class
Invite an acquaintance for coffee or a walk, someone you'd like to get to know better.
Being compassionate with yourself while you are learning new skills as an adult is critically important, and that includes developing friendships and taking yourself out of your comfort zone. Kindness for yourself and others is necessary. Nurturing deep connections with others provides a richness to our lives.
What other ways can you think of to get yourself out of feeling lonely?