Your Isolation Could Actually Be Killing You
By: Katy Velvet
Tags: Mental Health, Loneliness, Life Lessons, Health, Psychology

Being alone is not the same as being lonely.

Solitude can be very healthy, especially if you live a busy work life. And some people choose to spend time on their own without others around. After all, everyone needs their own personal space to unwind and reflect.

Being lonely, however, is a different subject matter entirely. You can be alone without feeling lonely and you can be lonely without being alone.

This can be a sign that the social connections you have in your life are not fulfilling your friendship needs.

Social media can contribute to loneliness.

More and more people these days decide to go on a social media break because they know how toxic it can be to our mental health. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram can encourage a more convenient way of communication; however, it can also lead to a less social society as well.

If you have 458 friends on Facebook, how many do you actually contact on a regular basis? Think about that one.

Social media can be good or bad — depending on how you use it. And for those who are prone to stress and anxiety, spending too much time on it can make you feel lonely.

Try to set up face-to-face interactions with your friends in real life. If you’ve been spending too much time on your own, meeting up with someone in person for even an hour or two can uplift your spirits.

Going for a walk helps refresh your mind and body.

Despite what some people think, you don’t necessarily need a membership at a fancy gym to work out.

Walking is a simple and affordable activity that has been proven to offer many health benefits for the body and the mind. And you probably already do it a lot on a regular basis.

But if you find yourself sitting at home working for days without a real break, take a step outside. Like all forms of exercise, walking releases endorphins and it will help decrease your sensitivity to stress.

Because walking increases blood flow to the brain, it’ll help you concentrate and think better. This is great for writer’s block, especially when you are feeling stuck on a particular story you want to write.

Loneliness can also be accompanied by boredom.

If you live by yourself and work from home, it can become quite boring. Picking up a new hobby can bring you excitement, especially if you’re getting to know people at the same time.

In the past, dancing has helped me get out of my comfort zone. It’s a good social activity that is both energizing and fun.

I also spend a lot of my time traveling to foreign countries and finding new restaurants to venture off to.

Trying different things all the time will help keep your life exciting. Even if you take a new route to work every morning, it can help refresh your perspective.

Stay away from people who suck away your energy.

I’d rather spend my time around people who are easy-going, positive and have nice things to say about others. Being around toxic people who like to stir up drama can make you feel lonelier than you were before.

It’s hard to stay happy around people who make you feel uncomfortable or undermine your self-respect. Pay attention to who you spend your time with and don’t be afraid to let them go if you find them toxic to your mental health.

Work on building meaningful relationships that make you feel connected, nurtured and cared for.