LONELINESS DURING SOCIAL DISTANCING

Humans are social creatures but to stop the spread of COVID, the novel coronavirus, we all need to do exactly what we're biologically programmed not to do ‘social distancing’. We humans don't have big claws, sharp teeth, or hard shells to protect ourselves. We've evolved to feel safe by sticking together, therefore, a few things are more alarming to our systems than suddenly being alone. Just like how when we're deprived of food, we feel hungry, when we're deprived of social connections, we feel lonely. Loneliness just like hunger is a warning signal reminding us that we're not meant to be alone and encouraging us to form deeper connections.

If we can't form deep social connections because we're social distancing due to a global pandemic, our bodies go into survival mode. We start producing more ‘Cortisol’ a stress hormone that keeps us alert to threats our bodies experience - more overall inflammation, a way to prepare to heal any injuries we might get while out on our own without help. Our sleep becomes shallower, so we can wake up to dangers in the night. These survival responses help us get through short-threatening bursts of isolation, but the longer we are lonely the more these changes were on our cells and organs. That's why perpetually, lonely people are at higher risk for mental, physical, and emotional problems and have weakened immune systems.

It’s understandable to feel lonely but don’t worry, here are three tactics to help you in the fight against loneliness

• 1.      Recognize your loneliness

 For what it is loneliness like hunger or thirst is a natural way for our body to tell us it needs some connection. You're not sensitive or weak. You're a human, a social creature, so take your feelings of loneliness seriously and objectively. Just like you would for feelings of hunger or thirst.

• 2.      Be vulnerable

Be vulnerable with at least one person, pick someone who you can confide in and who can confide in you. Connect regularly via video calls or over the phone, it can be scary to talk about your feelings but you'll both find that it's a great remedy for loneliness.

• 3.      Be part of something bigger than yourself

Participating in Greater society is critical for feeling connected. Thanks to technology, you can connect to something bigger without leaving your home. Consider finding a cause or nonprofit to follow and support.

Lastly remember, you're not alone in your loneliness. In fact, this is one of the rare times in history that people all around the world of all different cultures languages socio-economic groups are experiencing the same thing together.