Loneliness has become an epidemic.
Loneliness has become an epidemic.
It needs voicing and addressing.
It isn't restricted to the US alone. It's brewing and bubbling in our own backyard too. The problem may just be separated by degrees, and not for long.
The pandemic exacerbated it, no doubt. Truth be told, #loneliness has been creeping into our lives for a while now, piling up like dry, inflammable deadwood. The pandemic served as the proverbial matchstick that lit it into gigantic leaping flames. Hot embers continue spewing.
One of the big and important tenements of #holisticwellness is '#social wellness' - the social structures around us, how we fit in (or not), how we nurture them (or not) and how robust and deep runs this system to allow us to draw from easily when the need most arises.
Though this system becomes increasingly existential as we age, loneliness is now age agnostic.
While the topic is multi layered, sensitive, and not to be oversimplified in any way, a few steps we can try and incorporate to help ourselves and those around us better:
- Spot it, voice it and reach out. It's not trivial and #people are not unimportant. Choose expression of loneliness, rather than silent suffering and hoping.
- Value your friendships and relationships. Rekindle lost ones. Mend broken fences. Make the first move.
- Develop and consciously nurture offline relationships and prefer them over online. The real world is outside screens and so are real relationships.
.
- Explore various social /support/ hobby groups you can be part of.
- Start one, if you can't find any. There are many lonely souls waiting for something or someone to happen.
- Stay active, stay engaged.
- Volunteer your time and presence.
- Develop and practice empathetic communication (speaking and listening) as a life skill, along with other skills.
- Check up and genuinely connect with people around, regularly. Even short interactions are priceless.
- Don't bank on 'tomorrow' or 'later'. It's promised to no one. Call/message/meet today. Work never ends. Prioritize heart moments and connections.
Loneliness is as real as thirst and hunger. Let's choose to not accept it as a 'new normal.'
Loneliness should not be normal.
*********
What other steps spring to your mind?
*********
It needs voicing and addressing.
It isn't restricted to the US alone. It's brewing and bubbling in our own backyard too. The problem may just be separated by degrees, and not for long.
The pandemic exacerbated it, no doubt. Truth be told, #loneliness has been creeping into our lives for a while now, piling up like dry, inflammable deadwood. The pandemic served as the proverbial matchstick that lit it into gigantic leaping flames. Hot embers continue spewing.
One of the big and important tenements of #holisticwellness is '#social wellness' - the social structures around us, how we fit in (or not), how we nurture them (or not) and how robust and deep runs this system to allow us to draw from easily when the need most arises.
Though this system becomes increasingly existential as we age, loneliness is now age agnostic.
While the topic is multi layered, sensitive, and not to be oversimplified in any way, a few steps we can try and incorporate to help ourselves and those around us better:
- Spot it, voice it and reach out. It's not trivial and #people are not unimportant. Choose expression of loneliness, rather than silent suffering and hoping.
- Value your friendships and relationships. Rekindle lost ones. Mend broken fences. Make the first move.
- Develop and consciously nurture offline relationships and prefer them over online. The real world is outside screens and so are real relationships.
.
- Explore various social /support/ hobby groups you can be part of.
- Start one, if you can't find any. There are many lonely souls waiting for something or someone to happen.
- Stay active, stay engaged.
- Volunteer your time and presence.
- Develop and practice empathetic communication (speaking and listening) as a life skill, along with other skills.
- Check up and genuinely connect with people around, regularly. Even short interactions are priceless.
- Don't bank on 'tomorrow' or 'later'. It's promised to no one. Call/message/meet today. Work never ends. Prioritize heart moments and connections.
Loneliness is as real as thirst and hunger. Let's choose to not accept it as a 'new normal.'
Loneliness should not be normal.
*********
What other steps spring to your mind?
*********