The Link Between Loneliness And Mental Health
Here are 5 effective strategies for building social connections

Loneliness extends beyond physical isolation. It encompasses the distress felt when our social relationships don't align with our desires and expectations. Our upbringing and social environment shape our comfort with connections. Paradoxically, one can feel lonely amidst a crowd if those connections lack meaning, or feel content when alone due to embracing solitude.
Sweta Bothra, Lead Psychologist at Amaha through her years of experience over the years shares insights on effective ways to build social connections as an overwhelming majority of individuals have sought therapy and openly shared their experiences of grappling with feelings of loneliness. Feeling lonely when our social needs aren't met can lead to physical and mental changes that signal something is wrong. Chronic loneliness can elevate blood pressure, impact cardiovascular and immune functions, and increase stress levels compared to non-lonely individuals. Moreover, it can negatively affect learning, memory, and decision-making, and weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to illnesses. Chronic loneliness also affects how we regulate our emotions and can contribute to depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of suicide, alcoholism, and drug use.
Strategies for Overcoming Loneliness
1. Accept and normalize loneliness: Rather than distracting ourselves, it's crucial to acknowledge and express our feelings regularly.
2. Develop awareness: Pay attention to the physical and mental effects of loneliness, recognizing that negative thoughts and feelings about the future are temporary and may not reflect reality.
3. Be kind to yourself: Treat yourself with kindness and avoid self-criticism or dwelling on flaws. Taking care of ourselves reduces the reliance on others for love and acceptance and diminishes negative self-perceptions.
4. Reflect on the positive aspects: Loneliness can serve as an indicator that our relationships lack intimacy, motivating us to take steps to solve the issue. Additionally, use this time to distance yourself from toxic relationships and focus on activities you enjoy.
5. By engaging in activities we love, joining online groups, making future plans, appreciating existing relationships, and reaching out for support, we can combat loneliness. Remember, you are not alone in feeling lonely during this challenging time
Around The World
Recent
Novel Approaches For Anticipating Outcomes In Pregnancies With Foetal Complications
Improved prediction of which pregnancies are likely to result in stillbirth, neonatal death, or extremely preterm delivery will aid in identifying the...
ISKCON's World Holy Name Week And Bhadra Poornima Celebration
The celebration concludes along with over 15,000 Bhagavata Purana Sets distributed ...
Amrita University Unveils Groundbreaking Research Projects During Amma's Birthday Celebration
Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (Amma) —spiritual leader, humanitarian and visionary—was born on 3rd October, 1953 in a remote coastal village in Kerala...
Genetics Helps Explain Childhood Cancer: Study
The findings, which will help with genetic counselling were published in The Lancet Oncology....
The Power Of Mindfulness: A Secret Weapon For Competitive Exam Success
Being fully present when studying, rather than letting the mind wander, can lead to more efficient learning and better recall during exams...
Spiritual Well-Being And Mental Health
Discussing the connection between spiritual well-being and mental health and exploring practices that promote both ...