In the midst of an increasingly hustle and bustle world, there is loneliness flowing through the noise
Modern life requires people to connect with anyone. Whether it’s with direct contact or through social media. Even the use of social media today is getting crazier. The features available make the lives of one person with another can be clearly exposed to each other with just a touch on the screen.
However, behind all those connections, there is an empty space left. Trapping those inside to be confined within a self-created lonely wall. Those who feel lonely do not mean they have no friends or social life. It’s just that, once social life in daily life is over, there is no longer a soul to go home from. Whether it’s because of distant family, not having close friends or indeed have long enjoyed loss.
In the UK, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May, recently appointed a new ministerial post to deal with people who feel lonely. Tracey Crouch was appointed Minister for Loneliness by Theresa May as a form of the UK government’s concern for its citizens who experience loneliness. According to a 2017 study, more than 9 million Britons (14% of the population) feel lonely.
Not only in England, the problem of loneliness is also a big problem in America. 40% of American adults say they feel lonely. Even based on research, this figure could be greater than reported. Loneliness is no longer just the cause of people posting mellow on social media. Loneliness is no longer just the cause of artists creating works. Loneliness is already part of a larger crisis. Not only concerns mental health, but also physical health.
Loneliness and feelings of isolation increase the risk of sleep disturbances, substance use, depression and suicide. Feeling lonely can increase stress hormones, blood pressure, and decrease the ability to survive life’s challenges. What’s more, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also difficult due to the absence of social support.
Loneliness is allegedly a “disease” that infects many millennial era humans. The increasing population does not guarantee that everyone in it lives the same crowded life. The way people deal with loneliness is different. Some choose to immerse themselves in work so that it seems workaholic, some choose to exist more often on social media and in other ways. The problem remains the same, loneliness does not choose who to approach.
Loneliness is indeed part of human existence in this world. Because of the fact, there will still be times where people will spend time with themselves. When loneliness is too high, then this is already an unhealthy thing. There are things that have changed from society. Lack of interaction, lack of togetherness and increased activity on social media support the high number of those experiencing loneliness.
When in the UK, the steps taken have gone so far, what about in Indonesia?
Read the Incandescent Psychology article series on loneliness here!