September 14, 2017
Pramod Pathak
Loneliness may be more of a hazard to our health than obesity, according to a 2017 article published by the American Psychological Association in Washington, D.C. At this very moment there are so many people feeling lonely that many nations like the United States now face what is being called a “loneliness epidemic.”
In fact, loneliness is a leading precursor to depression and alcoholism, as well as all kinds of other medical concerns.
Why would this be? For starters, loneliness has been found to increase the levels of both stress hormones and blood pressure, which has a majorly negative impact on one of your most vital organs: the heart. No wonder a loneliness synonym is “heartache.”
Feeling alone from time to time isn’t abnormal or necessarily cause for alarm, but when feelings of isolation and loneliness persist it can really take a serious toll on all aspects of your health — and often, you won’t to see the negative health impact until years later. Isn’t it such irony that there is currently a loneliness epidemic taking place in this digital age when we are seemingly more connected than ever before? Interacting with someone via the computer or by other virtual means is just not the same as seeing each other in person or hearing a voice on the other end of the phone. Not only are many of us now feeling more alone with all this technology, but we’re also losing our interpersonal skills.
People of all ages can feel lonely, but this emotion can be an especially deadly among the elderly. A 2012 report by the National Academy of Sciences found that loneliness and social isolation in older men and women is linked to increased mortality. Regardless of your age, you will likely experience moments of loneliness in your life, but the great news is that natural remedies for loneliness are mainly habits and choices in your control and you can help yourself to feel better soon.
7 Natural Remedies for Loneliness
Occasional feelings of loneliness are not problematic if you do something to relieve yourself of lonely feelings. According to psychologist John Cacioppo, Ph.D, from the University of Chicago, “Loneliness is actually an evolutionary adaptation that should spur us to get back to socializing, a state in which we are happier and safer.” (7) Now let’s look at some of the best natural ways to combat feelings of loneliness and get to a much more enjoyable state of mind and being.
1. Less Social Media and Technology
You may enjoy social media at times, but at other times, maybe you’ve wondered or even searched the Internet for: “Do I have an obsession with Facebook”? Technology and social media can be quite addicting and time-consuming. On the positive side, you are able to keep in touch and maybe even form relationships with people all over the world. On the negative side, you may find you’re spending a lot less time connecting with people in person, getting outdoors, exercising, being creative and practicing other habits on a regular basis that help decrease feelings of loneliness.
A study published in 2017 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that heavy use of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Instagram, was correlated with feelings of social isolation. Specifically, this study looked at 1,787 adults in the United States between the ages of 19 and 32 and found that people who spent more than two hours each day on social media had double the likelihood of feeling socially isolated and lonely. Researchers also found that the people visiting social media most often (58 visits or greater each week) were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated compared to people who visited less than nine times each week.
It’s also really important to consider the effects of social media and technology use on children when it comes to loneliness. A U.K.-wide study conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health released in May 2017 revealed that imaged-focused Instagram “is considered the social media platform most likely to cause young people to feel depressed, anxious and lonely.” Snapchat came in second followed by Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
It’s totally up to you what social media you choose to take part in (or allow your children to take part in), but reducing your time using technology in general can make a huge positive impact on your life and actually help with feelings of loneliness. An idea to remember is “disconnect to connect,” which means being intentional about being present in the moment, especially when you are spending time with loved ones or doing something you enjoy. Turn off your phone when you can or put it on silent. There will always be time to check a text or an email, but you can’t get cherished moments back and you can’t really enjoy what you’re doing when you’re not fully there.
2. More Outdoor Time
When you’re looking to overcome loneliness, getting out of your house and into the stress-relieving outdoor world is a fabulous idea. You can also choose an outdoor space where interaction with other people will be possible, such as a dog park or a hiking trail. Getting into nature is also a helpful option if you don’t currently have the option to see a loved one in person but are looking to relieve any loneliness depression feelings.
Exposure to sunlight, fresh air and nature are all scientifically known for increasing serotonin levels. What is serotonin? Serotonin is a brain chemical known for improving a person’s state of mind. When serotonin levels are higher, researchers have found that people tend to be happier and “that positive emotions and agreeableness foster congenial relationships with others.” So in other words, getting outdoors and boosting those serotonin levels on a regular basis can likely help improve the sympathetic relations you have with others, which can help decrease loneliness.
Fresh air also helps boost oxygen intake, which in turn can help to improve energy and mood. Living in mountainous areas with lower oxygen levels has even been linked to increased rates of depression and suicide. Fresh air is certainly one of the most basic yet essential lifelines of good health.
Anne Frank had one of the best lonely quotes when it comes to nature’s healing effect on loneliness. She said, ” The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.” You can try earthing as well, which can help reduce stress hormones.
3. Contact a Friend or Family Member (In a Non-Digital Way)
Sometimes when you feel like you’re suffering from burnout or exhaustion, you may think the best thing to do is be alone and keep to yourself, but think twice. Isolating yourself is only helpful when it promotes feelings of solitude rather than loneliness. Remember that solitude is a positive state of being alone while loneliness is a negative state. When you’re feeling really stressed out, lonely and/or depressed, it’s always important to talk to people you trust and get your feelings out. It’s also a great idea to hear their voices on the other end of the phone (rather than a text message) or, even better, see them in person. Let yourself be supported by those around you and you are less likely to feel so alone.
4. Share Your Living Space
When people feel lonely, they have a harder time handling stress well. Living alone has also been shown to increase the risk for suicide in both the young and the old. If you’re struggling with loneliness and live alone, you maybe want to consider having a roommate.
A few years back, a Dutch retirement home came up with an answer to loneliness for both the elderly and the young — it actually offered free housing to students if they agreed to spending time with the residents of the retirement home. In exchange for a rent-free living space, the students were required to spend a minimum of 30 hours each month being “good neighbors.” This inter-generational living situation is a way of encouraging both the old and the young to interact with each other in a way that can help foster feelings of connectedness rather than isolation and loneliness.
In fact, loneliness is a leading precursor to depression and alcoholism, as well as all kinds of other medical concerns.
Why would this be? For starters, loneliness has been found to increase the levels of both stress hormones and blood pressure, which has a majorly negative impact on one of your most vital organs: the heart. No wonder a loneliness synonym is “heartache.”
Feeling alone from time to time isn’t abnormal or necessarily cause for alarm, but when feelings of isolation and loneliness persist it can really take a serious toll on all aspects of your health — and often, you won’t to see the negative health impact until years later. Isn’t it such irony that there is currently a loneliness epidemic taking place in this digital age when we are seemingly more connected than ever before? Interacting with someone via the computer or by other virtual means is just not the same as seeing each other in person or hearing a voice on the other end of the phone. Not only are many of us now feeling more alone with all this technology, but we’re also losing our interpersonal skills.
People of all ages can feel lonely, but this emotion can be an especially deadly among the elderly. A 2012 report by the National Academy of Sciences found that loneliness and social isolation in older men and women is linked to increased mortality. Regardless of your age, you will likely experience moments of loneliness in your life, but the great news is that natural remedies for loneliness are mainly habits and choices in your control and you can help yourself to feel better soon.
7 Natural Remedies for Loneliness
Occasional feelings of loneliness are not problematic if you do something to relieve yourself of lonely feelings. According to psychologist John Cacioppo, Ph.D, from the University of Chicago, “Loneliness is actually an evolutionary adaptation that should spur us to get back to socializing, a state in which we are happier and safer.” (7) Now let’s look at some of the best natural ways to combat feelings of loneliness and get to a much more enjoyable state of mind and being.
1. Less Social Media and Technology
You may enjoy social media at times, but at other times, maybe you’ve wondered or even searched the Internet for: “Do I have an obsession with Facebook”? Technology and social media can be quite addicting and time-consuming. On the positive side, you are able to keep in touch and maybe even form relationships with people all over the world. On the negative side, you may find you’re spending a lot less time connecting with people in person, getting outdoors, exercising, being creative and practicing other habits on a regular basis that help decrease feelings of loneliness.
A study published in 2017 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that heavy use of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Instagram, was correlated with feelings of social isolation. Specifically, this study looked at 1,787 adults in the United States between the ages of 19 and 32 and found that people who spent more than two hours each day on social media had double the likelihood of feeling socially isolated and lonely. Researchers also found that the people visiting social media most often (58 visits or greater each week) were more than three times as likely to feel socially isolated compared to people who visited less than nine times each week.
It’s also really important to consider the effects of social media and technology use on children when it comes to loneliness. A U.K.-wide study conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health released in May 2017 revealed that imaged-focused Instagram “is considered the social media platform most likely to cause young people to feel depressed, anxious and lonely.” Snapchat came in second followed by Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
It’s totally up to you what social media you choose to take part in (or allow your children to take part in), but reducing your time using technology in general can make a huge positive impact on your life and actually help with feelings of loneliness. An idea to remember is “disconnect to connect,” which means being intentional about being present in the moment, especially when you are spending time with loved ones or doing something you enjoy. Turn off your phone when you can or put it on silent. There will always be time to check a text or an email, but you can’t get cherished moments back and you can’t really enjoy what you’re doing when you’re not fully there.
2. More Outdoor Time
When you’re looking to overcome loneliness, getting out of your house and into the stress-relieving outdoor world is a fabulous idea. You can also choose an outdoor space where interaction with other people will be possible, such as a dog park or a hiking trail. Getting into nature is also a helpful option if you don’t currently have the option to see a loved one in person but are looking to relieve any loneliness depression feelings.
Exposure to sunlight, fresh air and nature are all scientifically known for increasing serotonin levels. What is serotonin? Serotonin is a brain chemical known for improving a person’s state of mind. When serotonin levels are higher, researchers have found that people tend to be happier and “that positive emotions and agreeableness foster congenial relationships with others.” So in other words, getting outdoors and boosting those serotonin levels on a regular basis can likely help improve the sympathetic relations you have with others, which can help decrease loneliness.
Fresh air also helps boost oxygen intake, which in turn can help to improve energy and mood. Living in mountainous areas with lower oxygen levels has even been linked to increased rates of depression and suicide. Fresh air is certainly one of the most basic yet essential lifelines of good health.
Anne Frank had one of the best lonely quotes when it comes to nature’s healing effect on loneliness. She said, ” The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.” You can try earthing as well, which can help reduce stress hormones.
3. Contact a Friend or Family Member (In a Non-Digital Way)
Sometimes when you feel like you’re suffering from burnout or exhaustion, you may think the best thing to do is be alone and keep to yourself, but think twice. Isolating yourself is only helpful when it promotes feelings of solitude rather than loneliness. Remember that solitude is a positive state of being alone while loneliness is a negative state. When you’re feeling really stressed out, lonely and/or depressed, it’s always important to talk to people you trust and get your feelings out. It’s also a great idea to hear their voices on the other end of the phone (rather than a text message) or, even better, see them in person. Let yourself be supported by those around you and you are less likely to feel so alone.
4. Share Your Living Space
When people feel lonely, they have a harder time handling stress well. Living alone has also been shown to increase the risk for suicide in both the young and the old. If you’re struggling with loneliness and live alone, you maybe want to consider having a roommate.
A few years back, a Dutch retirement home came up with an answer to loneliness for both the elderly and the young — it actually offered free housing to students if they agreed to spending time with the residents of the retirement home. In exchange for a rent-free living space, the students were required to spend a minimum of 30 hours each month being “good neighbors.” This inter-generational living situation is a way of encouraging both the old and the young to interact with each other in a way that can help foster feelings of connectedness rather than isolation and loneliness.
