Loneliness & Mental Health
Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels
Loneliness is something that we all experience from time to time. It seems the pandemic has only increased the number of people experiencing it. Yes, we see the videos and memes of moms, dads, and even children who are begging for some alone time in their close quarters. But we rarely get a glimpse into the isolation and sadness that inflicts people on their own struggling with the silence of social isolation.
For others, work may alleviate that feeling. But, for the solopreneurs out there chronic loneliness may be amplified with no real space to safely discuss without feeling judged or shamed. Sometimes loneliness can negatively impact your work, as it can often be accompanied by feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, and reduced productivity.
So, being the tough entrepreneur you are, to keep pushing forward you convince yourself that you are okay. Perhaps you tell yourself you are more creative alone, or that you get enough of your social interaction from Zoom or Facebook. But you don’t need to convince yourself that social isolation is all there is. There are ways to help bridge the gap from your social island.
Whether you are an introvert, an extrovert, or somewhere in between, everyone can get lonely. However, chronic loneliness - which can occur when someone is socially isolated for long periods of time - is actually becoming the leading cause of premature death according to the CDC. People who experience long-term loneliness are also more likely to develop depression, heart disease, obesity, and other chronic illnesses. Despite the huge concern this loneliness epidemic presents, our culture continues to struggle with normalizing loneliness and it is becoming deadly.
If you are experiencing loneliness as an entrepreneur take the following steps to help counter those feelings:
Tell someone - A trusted friend or colleague. Ask them if you can schedule weekly calls or walks so that you can have something to look forward to and socialize with. This could be great for colleagues looking to partner on new initiatives or who just want to talk about the latest in pop culture.
Get outside- As the weather gets cooler, a brisk walk outside during the day can not only boost your mood but also may give you an opportunity to connect to nature, spirituality or even a new friend on a walking path.
Connect with other solopreneurs- Everyone is on the new social media app Clubhouse by Apple these days. This app creates more opportunities to connect with other self-starters who have similar interests and ideas. Whether you are a social media fan or not, it is a great way to connect with people who share similar experiences, hobbies, and beliefs. Your local MeetUp organization, library, or church may also have Zoom events, book clubs, and community conversations where you can attend and participate.
Ultimately, loneliness can be minimized by proactively seeking out events, people, and places. Although solitude is great for creativity in doses, long-term solitude can have much more serious consequences. If your loneliness is causing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255
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