Loneliness

 Loneliness

Loneliness is such a dangerous thing. It is akin to a slow acting poison, seeping slowly but surely through our bones and flesh. It sounds horrid and a tad morbid I know, but that is the truth of the continuous feeling of loneliness. In this world that has approximately  7.9 billions of humans, surprisingly or unsurprisingly around 40 to 60% people have stated that they feel lonely. 

We all have felt lonely at some point in our lives. It is inevitable in this steadfast and digital world we are residing in. For some people, these feelings of loneliness are just an occasional thing that can be quickly dispelled by meeting with loved ones. Yet for some people, loneliness is a daily thing that hovers around never never truly leaving one’s mind. Now, this type of loneliness is the dangerous type. The longer it is left untreated, the bigger the backlash is going to be in the future.

Humans are a highly social species

Humans crave affection from others as humans are a highly social species. Having meaningful and mutual relationships is essential for humans. Note that the mutual in a relationship is crucial. When we feel lonely, it indirectly causes bodily harm. Starting from not being able to sleep soundly, getting sick easily, feeling lethargic all day long and other negative behaviour. Lonely people may even turn to self depreciating way, drinking until dawn, getting addicted to drugs, gambling and sexual hook ups, even contemplating self harm or suicide. Still, with all the things they have done it will all be fruitless if the feeling of loneliness still persists in their mind and heart. The mind is indeed a dangerous thing.

Humans can get lonely whether they are alone or being surrounded by people. Being alone isn’t equal to being lonely and being popular doesn’t guarantee that you won’t feel lonely . Sometimes being in a crowd may make us feel more lonely than ever, it may even feel more suffocating. If you feel that the “real” you won’t be accepted by them, if you don’t truly feel like you belong among them or even that you don’t feel like they’ll understand you. In that case being around people won’t necessarily fill the void of emptiness you hold in your heart. 

Quality over quantity

The number of people you have met, or the number of friends you have doesn’t dictate the feeling of loneliness. In this case, quality is over the quantity of a relationship. It all depends on how you feel and value the relationships you have. 

Take famous people for example, like celebrities, CEOs, actors, actresses and idols. They have met lots of people in their life. They are famous around the globe, idolized and worshipped even. Surely, they are also not lacking financially. Yet there are quite a few famous and successful people who attempted or commit suicide. Psychologists say that famous people are more likely to suffer from mental problems, that includes loneliness and depression among others.

What use of mortal possessions if in the end you still feel stressed, lonely and isolated from the rest of the world?

How loneliness kills

Lonely people are 50% more likely to die prematurely than those with healthy social relationships. Researchers stated that loneliness is just as lethal as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and it kills twice as many people as obesity, be it indirectly or directly. 

Direct means such as depression, self harm and suicide. People may feel so isolated that they think the only way to be free of this pain is through death. Indirectly loneliness kills due to negative impacts on our health. It lowers the human body immune system, making us more vulnerable to diseases. It may also cause inflammation which may contribute to heart disease or further chronic illness.

Combating loneliness

It’s important to recognize the signs and telltales of loneliness, so that you can take the steps to improve and relieve the emptiness you feel. It will not just do to try and suppress loneliness, it’s better to face it head on rather than burying it deep in the ground and not acknowledging or better yet denying its existence at all. It’s even more dangerous doing so.

It is all about action, whether you decide to visit families and friends. Calling your friends overseas. Going out and taking a walk around the block or even getting yourself a pet. It’s vital to push yourself to do something other than moping and drowning in loneliness. The natural tendency when you feel lonely can make you withdraw more from society and prying eyes, which can lead to desperate and dangerous measures.