Loneliness can play some bizarre tricks in our minds. Human connecting has been a vital part of our evolutionary history. As we began living in bigger groups, our relationships with people around us became even more critical for our health and our protection. Such the human mind has evolved to be incredibly social and to really hunger for that connection. Therefore, when this connection is taken away, we experience periods of social isolation. These periods of social isolation led to loneliness, which can have strange effects on the mind of the person.
Social Isolation
Several studies have shown that when people feel lonely, they are more likely to anthropomorphize objects around them. They, therefore, may be more likely to see little faces in the objects around them. Also, they may also start to see intentions in machines and other kinds of devices around their home. For instance, if your computer starts showing unexpected errors, the person may start to think it’s badly behaved, and they may turn it off as punishment. This is a result of being hungry for and grief for social connection such that when it’s taken away, we try finding it anywhere around us.
People who feel incredibly lonely right now might have more vivid dreams at night because the brain tries to act like a bodyguard. The brain knows that it needs social connections, and you don’t have it, so the brain goes back to the memories and try to find social memories and bring them back to you to help you feel better.
Loneliness: Extreme Cases for Prisoners
If you look at prisoners who have been put in solitary confinement, they have a much more extreme reaction to loneliness. These include all kinds of hallucinations that they will perceive from flickering lights to some horrifying vision. These visions can be of animals around them or a feeling that there is another presence in the room. Such cases are especially true when there is sensory deprivation, along with the loss of social connections. The most significant problem is that the brain is lacking stimulation, and it’s so used to processing the vivid environment around us. Therefore, when the mental stimulation is taking away, it doesn’t know how to respond to it.
Implications of Loneliness to our Overall Health
However, it’s just not our minds that are affected by social isolation; our bodies suffer in turn. Loneliness has been proven to have dangerous effects on our bodies too. Also, social isolation has vast implications for our overall health. Studies reveal that loneliness can lead to depression. After two to three weeks of severe social isolation, it can lead to increased blood pressure, increased cardiovascular disease. It also increases your stress response and cortisol levels, and as a result, you may find yourself on alert all the time.
Besides, lack of trust of people around you, you become a bit irritable and defensive for no reason. Having poor social connections is as deadly as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. However, with the global pandemic cases of loneliness and social isolation are picking up very fast. Loneliness may be the virus the world will have to cure after the pandemic is over.
The Loving, Kindness Meditation
However, there is good news; the loving, kindness meditation has proven to reduce levels of loneliness. Like any form of mediation, it includes sitting in a quiet place and reflecting on the relationships with people around you. The person then tries to cultivate a positive attitude towards these people. This kind of mediation can help to boost your sense of social connection. Also, exercise can be an excellent remedy for social isolation. Lastly, let us remember always to have more empathy for people experiencing loneliness.
More:
- Why So Many Young Swedes Live Alone
- Best home exercises to keep your body in shape during the quarantine
