If I ask you to imagine a lonely person, what would you think? Most likely you will imagine an aged person sitting alone with no one to talk to. But loneliness is not age-specific, it can have an impact across all ages and be relevant irrespective of whether you stay alone or in a full house.
Loneliness is a critical psychosocial problem that affects the mental health and wellbeing of individuals. It is one of the greatest problems facing humanity today. Loneliness is a perceived sense of having fewer relationships or less quality relationships than we would like. Loneliness is not only a subjective experience but also has two-fold mortality risk factor compared to obesity. According to research, addressing one’s loneliness is like quitting smoking in terms of potential health benefits.
What we have forgotten is that we are all built for connection. There is a connection to people, nature, and animals. Our inner experience is shaped by interactions & relationships with others. So what is it that we can do to build strong and lasting connections?
One of the fundamental ways of building a connection is by nurturing the skills of kindness, compassion, and appreciation. We are born with a potential for these qualities and tapping that potential is a skill. Appreciation, Kindness & compassion are skills that one can nurture through mindful meditations. Research shows that with just 30 minutes of practice in 2 weeks, you can train your mind to be positive & feel a deeper connection to the ones around you.
Other things that you may try to build connections are:
- Select two closest friends, make an attempt of meeting them as often as possible.
- Think about what you really enjoy doing. It may be music, art, biking or any other. Join the clubs/groups related to your area of interest. This will help you meet new people with similar interests. So you’re focussing on what you enjoy doing and you’re with people who are like minded.
- Engaging in volunteer work, this will not only give you satisfaction but help you develop lifelong relations.
- Making a deliberate attempt of Not saying ‘NO’ to acquaintance or friend or a known person for a coffee evening or meeting up.
So, why not try it out today. Work towards building connections today and I guarantee you won’t regret it.