It may seem obvious that the loneliness cure for isolation and depression is connection. But for many the skills required to make and maintain meaningful relationships have been lost in the pace of our fast moving society. 

This is a problem because your health and happiness is strongly linked to how socially connected you are. In fact the effect of social connection is so significant that the boost to your health is equivalent to life changing behaviours like losing weight, regular exercise or quitting cigarettes or alcohol. And people who belong to a wider social group have improved psychological/emotional health, and also enjoy better physical health – Over 148 STUDIES can’t be wrong!

Even before Covid-19 loneliness had reached epidemic proportions. In fact the US statistics showed  the number of people who have no one to confide had tripled over the last 20 years.  

“In one experiment, paid volunteers had a cold virus sprayed in their noses.  The people with very few or no social contacts were four times more likely to come down with cold symptoms than those with lots of social contacts”. Clearly we do need this loneliness cure.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GOOD CONNECTIONS?

People experience:

♦  Have Lower Blood Pressure

♦  Have a Lower Heart Rate

♦  Experience Less Colds

♦  Have a Stronger Immune System to Fight Serious Illnesses

♦  Experience Less Mental Illness

♦  Take Less Risks

♦  Respond Better to Stress

♦  Take Better Care of Yourself.  The list goes on …

HOW CAN YOU GET CONNECTED?

Here are a few simple steps to get started:

♦  Strengthen your existing relationships

♦  Ask a neighbour or someone at work out for coffee or lunch (If you are in isolation, invite them for a zoom coffee)

♦  Bring some of your family members together

♦  Join a community group. This can be in your local area or online. Read more about finding your tribe here.

♦  Volunteer

When we focus on ourselves, our problems loom large. But when we FOCUS on OTHERS, our world expands.” ~ Daniel Goleman

♦  Support others in need. You may surprised at how rewarding this can be. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”

In summary, the loneliness cure is connecting with others. And this can be daunting, but it takes just one second of courage to say yes to the loneliness cure.  And one second to pick up the phone or send a message. What is one thing you can do right now to experience the benefits of connection?