Loneliness

There’s been much emphasis on the dangers of suffering from loneliness especially in the ongoing pandemic.

As a practising psychologist, I regularly counsel people who for some reason feel lonely and depressed. It is a fact that people with severe depression fare worse under pressure. But what about everyone else?

The ongoing situation we’re all part of, contributes to feelings of loneliness, isolation and the need to adjust to a different kind of life and routines.

Loneliness Affects Everyone at Different Stages of Our Lives.

Whether single or in a relationship is of little significance.

I’ve encountered many people who prefer to live by themselves, choosing who to socialise with and when, with demanding jobs and many interests. People whose only companion is an animal, and who prefer to live life on their and no one else’s terms. That’s fine as long as the need to be on their own doesn’t impact their health and well-being.

There’s a misconception that people living alone are lonely. Nothing could be further from the truth. Another misconception is that if surrounded by others and in a relationship, people don’t suffer from loneliness. Again, this isn’t always the case.

You Can Feel Just as Lonely in a Relationship as On Your Own.

It’s the quality of life, interests, friends and family around you that by far outweigh the need to share life with someone that truly matters.

Loneliness is on the Increase Among Young People. Why?

I believe it’s down to many things; the Internet, socialising online has taken over from physical connections, on one hand we’re able to connect with people everywhere yet overlook the need for physical contact, face-to-face interactions and close deep communication and sense of belonging.

Loneliness is a hard place to be and live. So many people yearn to be part of something and instead of nurturing and investing in human relationships with real people, imagine having online connections replace the need for human contact.

Sure, it’s perfectly possible to make friends online and meet in real life but very rare.

Loneliness and the subsequent feelings of isolation that accompanies it, cause physical and mental problems in the long run, sometimes even after a short time.

Internet, social media and all kinds of online addictions are just as bad and serious as other addictions, whether drugs or excessive behaviours.

Now More Than Ever, We Need to Connect with Ourselves and People We Care About.

Yes, in the ongoing pandemic, we’ve got to keep a distance and avoid meeting others we don’t normally spend time with – which is all the more reason to look after ourselves, loved ones and connect differently through digital devices and mobile calls.

Now is also the perfect time to dig deep within ourselves and evaluate what must happen to change for the better and get the best life. Loneliness is part of living but can be the starting point for a new and better way of life. ALWAYS seek professional advice and help if you suffer from regular feelings of depression and can’t cope on a daily basis.

With much love,

Hélene