How Loneliness is Killing Us and Where to Find Meaningful Connection + VIDEO {The Whole Cure Wellness Wednesday}

 

In a world of busy and incessant demands, so many of us suffer from loneliness and are desperately seeking true connection. Understand how loneliness is killing us and what you can do to find meaningful connections!

The desire for meaningful social connections is inherent in human nature. Loneliness or perceived isolation results in difficult and painful emotions that arise when a person experiences a discrepancy between her desired and actual social relationships.

Loneliness is pervasive in our world. Since 1980, the percentage of American adults who say they are lonely has doubled from 20 to 40%. This growing social isolation in our society has been recognized to have dire physical, mental and emotional consequences. 

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Loneliness is a serious health risk. Loneliness triggers the stress response within the body, leading to efforts at self-preservation and increased alertness to search for potential threats. This contributes to disrupted sleep, imbalanced hormones and an enhanced tendency towards further isolation. 

Social isolation can impair immune function and increase inflammation, which may contribute to the development or worsening of numerous health issues such as:

• Arthritis
• Type II diabetes
• Heart disease and stroke
• Psychiatric disorders including depression and alcohol abuse
• Cognitive decline
• Sleep disruptions

For example, a recent study shows that isolation increases the risk of heart disease by 29% and stroke by 32%.

Further, research shows us that elderly people without adequate social interaction were twice as likely to die prematurely. Overall, those who are socially isolated have a 30% higher risk of dying in the next seven years and this effect was largest in middle age. In fact, loneliness impacts mortality risk comparable to smoking and is twice as dangerous as obesity. 

The only thing worse than suffering from a trauma, illness or life struggle is going through it alone. A lack of strong social support exacerbates the effects of other health and psychological stressors. You have likely experienced that facing a trauma, illness, or life struggle is much more difficult when you are going through it alone. 

Use These Strategies to Find More Meaningful Connections

Despite the stigma, loneliness is not a fault or the result of poor social skills. Science suggests that socially isolated people may be exceptionally sensitive to social cues. This increased likelihood to perceive ambiguous social cues negatively leads them to take on a self-preservation mindset. 

Whether you thrive with lots of social interaction or tend to be a quiet introvert who prefers a few deeper connections, you don’t have to go it alone! Consider these approaches if you want to grow the meaningful connections in your life.

Build greater mindfulness into your life by joining us for the next The Whole Cure Lifestyle Transformation Mindset Module! This very special virtual group coaching program offers lasting transformation and meaningful stress management tools that can shift your entire life! Get exercises, workbooks, audio guided meditations, webinars and more! Learn more about this powerful online program and join us from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world! Commit to yourself now!

Opt to Befriend People in Person and Take a Social Media Break

In our modern tech-savvy society, popularity may be judged based on the number of friends or followers you have on social media sites. While we are spending more and more time online and using social media, studies show that the amount of time you spend on social networks like Facebook is inversely related to how happy you feel throughout the day.

We know that social satisfaction does not result from having large numbers of friends but instead is based on the quality of human interactions. The key is to focus on the quality of meaningful relationships and not the sheer quantity. Having people you can depend on and who depend on you in return enhances life satisfaction and health. 

• Instead of waiting for that text or sitting at home wishing you were with others, initiate an invitation for a social outing.
• Focus on relationships where you feel a genuine connection and receive love and appreciation.
• Make a conscious effort to drop comparisons and be okay with saying no. 
• If there are people who stress you out, inflame you, or bring you down, take a break from them.
• Unfollow social media accounts that leave you feeling inadequate, lacking, or in comparison mode.

Making space can help you reevaluate your relationships and decide which ones you want to invite back into your life.

Pet a Puppy

Pets are loyal companions who bring meaning and joy into our lives. For those who are capable of caring for a pet, adopting an animal companion can be a wonderful way of finding companionship. Others may receive many of the benefits of a furry friend by volunteering with a local animal shelter or joining a program that pairs you up with a shelter dog as a running partner.

Others may receive many of the benefits of a furry friend by volunteering at a local animal shelter or joining a program that pairs you up with a shelter dog as a running partner. This is a great way to feel like a part of something greater and to give while receiving so much love and appreciation in return. 

Animals teach us to pay attention to the world around us and how we interact with it. They help us learn to appreciate the present moment and open up our hearts to unconditional love. The human-animal bond is profoundly powerful and healing. 

Reach Out and Spread Kindness

Kindness enhances our connections with ourselves, with those we interact with and with the world around us. Living your life from a place of unconditional kindness, for yourself and others, is a key element of The Whole Cure (affiliate link). When you act with kindness and compassion, you can add a much-needed ease and grace to your life. 

One way to practice compassion and kindness is to give without expecting something in return.

• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen. 
• Deliver meals to the elderly.
• Mentor a child.

Knowing that you are a valued and contributing member of society enhances your social and emotional wellbeing.

Compassion and kindness connect us at a soul level and pulls us up when hope seems lost. When we are supported and connected, we can be hopeful. 

Tap Into Your Intuition and Spend Time with Yourself

The truest solution for finding meaningful connection is to start with recognizing your own completeness and wisdom. Building a connection with yourself is the first step in building fulfilling, meaningful relationships with others.

Trust your gut, give yourself permission to grow and live your life on purpose. To do this get in touch with what truly drives you. Allow yourself to start listening within and becoming comfortable with your intuition. 

Relationships reflect who you are inside, so you need to know and trust yourself first. Through self-care, meditation, yoga, contemplation and self-reflection you can get to know your inner world more deeply.  This will build self-compassion and vulnerability which will move your towards allowing yourself to embody your core values and be who you are truly meant to be.

A version of this article by Dr. Weinberg also appeared on The Chopra Center Blog!

 

How are you cultivating meaningful connections? 

Do you have a pet that adds companionship to your life?

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Your Simple Pure Whole Wellness Plan!

• The Whole Cure Lifestyle Transformation Mindset Module one of my most popular online group coaching programs for lasting transformation and meaningful stress management that can shift your entire life! The next group online program begins soon and can be done from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world! Commit to yourself now!
• FREE Stress Management Guide with a preview of The Whole Cure (affiliate link) and several wellness exercises to get you started building your toolkit of habits for a more balanced life!
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Simple Pure Whole Opportunities!

Medical Disclaimer: Information provided in this email and related resources is for informational purposes only. The information is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Every body is unique so be sure to check with your health care professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes taking any medication or nutritional supplement or using any treatment for a health issue.. Do not use this information provided for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If you suspect you have a medical problem please contact your healthcare provider promptly and do not disregard professional medical advice based on anything in this email. This correspondence and related resources are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease and do not create a doctor-patient relationship between you and Jennifer Weinberg.

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