Hi there viewers!
Are there a bunch of people around you and you still feel disconnected? Are you yearning
to form genuine relationships and long lasting bonds? Then let me tell you, you're not alone.
Loneliness often gets ignored as something unimportant because we cannot visualize it
like other diseases such as heart or kidney problems. But that does not mean it doesn't exist.
In today's video let's discuss subtle signs you’re lonely. Can taking long showers mean anything? How
can continuously buying cool new stuff be bad? We’re discussing all that and more...
1. You’re not excited to begin your day
The morning after partying hard can be a rough one where nothing seems to be going right.
You might feel like going back to bed the moment you wake up. But if this
happens regularly without reason, then there's a serious underlying problem.
Being perpetually tired is one sign of loneliness. Studies have shown that when you are lonely,
you are bound to have a fragmented sleep cycle that causes micro-awakenings.
You might even stay in bed for a good 8 to 9 hours but still be
tired as you will not be completing a full sleep cycle continuously.
If you feel anxious before sleeping, try audio or video calling your loved ones.
Seeing them or listening to their voice can calm you down. Avoid texting because that might not
work as effectively. Do it for a couple of weeks and your endless problem may have a solution.
2. Your old clothes don't fit
It's a challenge to get into that skinny pair of jeans you purchased just a couple of months ago.
And to your surprise when you step on the scale the numbers are on the higher side.
When you feel lonely it's natural for you to turn to food for solace. Of course,
everybody’s gotta eat. But in the process, you might eat a little extra to find comfort.
Animal studies have shown that mice living in isolated lab settings were not as skinny
as the ones in social environments. This might be true for humans as well.
3. You linger too long in hot showers or baths
Who doesn’t like sitting in the bathtub filled with warm water,
scented candles, and a glass of wine? But is it becoming a habit?
An interesting study found that people who were sensitive to emotional coldness from someone,
enjoy physical warmth of any kind. This literally translates to being in warm water.
The series of studies show that lonely people immediately felt better after a warm shower.
When you encounter something warm it can break your innermost feelings
and bring you some calmness. So a nice hot chocolate beverage could
be just what you need if the thought of loneliness creeps into your mind. You
might actually find a change in your mood even after snuggling in a warm embrace.
4. You are an impulsive shopper
Going on a shopping spree can temporarily lift your mood. But if you have made it a way of life
then it clearly indicates you’re lonely. Getting psyched over a new iPhone or cool pair of shoes
is totally natural. But spending all your money on material possessions can make you obsessed.
There is a link between materialism and loneliness. People who are lonely keep buying
new stuff - for years! It's the loneliness that causes materialism and not the other way around.
Instead make travel plans with your family. If you
want to travel solo you might get a chance to meet new people too.
5. You don’t eat nutritious food Is your idea of a salad the lettuce on a
burger? Then your diet needs a serious overhaul. Try to incorporate each food group like meat,
dairy, proteins, green leafy vegetables, legumes, beans, eggs, whole grains,
and fruits. It's natural to lose track of all these healthy foods when you're living alone.
But when you are surrounded by people who value their diet choices, you might even start cooking
healthy meals. This goes double if you live with someone who’s health conscious. But loneliness
takes away all this accountability and puts you in a bad routine of binging junk food.
6. Loneliness can be caught from your friend circle
Yes, you heard that right! That may sound paradoxical but if you have someone who
is always talking about being lonely then there are chances you’ll be affected too.
According to a study, loneliness was found to be contagious.
When you constantly hear about how isolated and empty other people's lives are,
it creates a negative bond between you. In turn, you will behave awkwardly and
more distantly in your other social groups perpetuating this behaviour.
The study also showed that there is a 52% chance of feeling lonely when someone
directly connected to you feels lonely. It’s just like catching a cold. Speaking of a cold…
7. You get sick more often
The internet could show you a million reasons why you got a cold. But did you know that loneliness
could also make you catch a cold? Weird right? Sometimes science can be a little twisted.
Loneliness could weaken your immune system. A highly social person would have a better
capacity to ward off infections. A study found that a lonely person is more susceptible to viral
infections. When you fall sick frequently it starts a vicious cycle of staying home,
cutting ties and being more stressed.
8. social media
Well, social media is addictive and who doesn't like watching cute,
trendy cat videos? Sometimes we become detectives trying to
find out who is parting with whom and all the recent gossip about celebs.
But some people feel that interacting online means they’re social. It may be temporarily
satisfying but when you are just building more Facebook friends or Instagram followers,
you are losing the actual human connection.
A study found that people who spent more than 2 hours a day on social media were
considered heavy social media users. Most of them had a feeling of social isolation.
So the next time you feel like running the same feed for the millionth time,
resist the urge. Instead, pick up your phone and dial-up your buddy.
Arrange a dinner with your close ones or long-lost friends.
9. You put everything under the microscope
Everybody has some form of stress in their lives, right from rebellious teenagers,
office goers to old folks, everybody has it. But if you were to think back on this past week,
would you be able to find a happy moment? Or would you just rant about the traffic jams,
your co-workers, inflation, pollution, things like that? If you find yourself
constantly complaining, it could be because of your loneliness.
10. You are physically ill Loneliness is more than emotion.
In no time at all, emotional unhappiness translates into physical unhealthiness.
A lonely adult could have blood pressure 30 points higher than a very social person.
No wonder they say friends and family are the best stress busters. They help you stay grounded.
With loneliness, you might even feel the urge to see the doctor with no specific ailment.
It was found that adults who lived alone or felt lonely visited a doctor's office
about 12% more than social folks. You can have bad stomach cramps,
digestion issues, constipation, and frequent headaches when you are lonely.
11. You hardly step outdoors
You might want to do nothing after a hectic day. Curling up into a ball in a corner of your bed
may feel divine at that moment. But do you just stick to your bed, couch, or desk all the time?
You need to shift gears. Limiting yourself to one space for a long time can mean you are lonely. If
you are working from home try to station your desk near a window. Make sure you get enough
sunlight and fresh air. Once you're done working, step out of your house and go for a quick walk to
a nearby park. Connecting with nature can be a great way to get a grip on your loneliness.
12. You hate your me-time
Pursuing hobbies in your free time can be the best way to stay engaged
and boost your productivity. But have you been dreading that free time lately?
Then you need to hear us out. Being all alone for a long time can take away the fun of “me time.”
You need to be more social. A change in surroundings can also make you feel that
you deserve the much-needed break. Initially, it may be nerve-wracking to meet new people. You may
even start doubting your capacity to get along with others. But motivate yourself to put your
best foot forward and do it anyway. It will be difficult to understand some social etiquettes
and body language but slowly you will get the hang of it. Remember the golden rule:
never cancel on any plans and you will be surrounded by a bunch of people in no time.
13. You are anxious and stressed
Your brain elicits a neurochemical response when you fail to make a physical human connection.
You can react intensely to any stressful situation just because of the lack of support
from other beings. It does not matter if you have a big friend circle of 20 or a gang of 2.
Having someone to open up to should be the ultimate aim in your life.
Your body tries to combat stressful situations in its own way. It releases a hormone called
cortisol. It is a trigger factor for many conditions like compromised cardiovascular health,
undue stress on your circulatory system and a poor immune system.
When we choose a nuclear lifestyle, isolation can also show depression symptoms. With no one
to have your back, you will be more vulnerable to anxiety. It is even possible to experience
faded memories over time. A study found the markers of Alzheimer's disease were
about 7 times higher in lonely people who fail to make meaningful connections.
There’s a well-established relationship between what you eat and brain health.
Brain cells can be easily modified and a few foods delay the progression of Alzheimer's.
Let’s keep the conversation going with a couple of more Alzheimer's-related videos, shall we?
Watch 7 foods that help prevent Alzheimer's disease or
prevent Alzheimer's and dementia by eating these 21 foods that may improve memory.
Go ahead, click one. Or better yet, watch both, and learn more about how to get a sharp memory.
Have you ever felt lonely in your life? What was that like? Let us know in the comments below!