Is a substantial amount of socialization necessary for health?
I believe that my lonliness is kind of like hunger. Its an unpleasant feeling that triggers me to do things that help me to survive.
However, the solution to lonliness does not have to be immediate social interaction, although that would be great. We dont always have socialization available and must cope in other ways. Some things I have felt helpful are excersize, calling friends/family, and journaling.
@auntmarissa
hey Marissa :)
I'm glad you have found some solid coping methods. Socialization in itself may not always be the solution as some still feel lonely even when others are around probably because they feel like no one truly care or understand them, therefore you can feel lonely. Which is why it's a good thing that you call your friends and family as they do care about you. Always surround yourself with peers that support and care about and if you have the need to talk about it we're here for you no matter what <3
@EllieJays I agree EllieJays! And I think it can be difficult to make meaningful connections, but at least its good we realize we need meaningful connections.
What a fascinating question! I hope other people join in this discussion!
I think about loneliness a lot too, about the causes and manifestations of loneliness, since it's a big struggle of mine!
"I believe that my lonliness is kind of like hunger. Its an unpleasant feeling that triggers me to do things that help me to survive."
Wow that makes me think there is something primodal in the unpleasant feeling of loneliness. Perhaps our early ancestors could only survive if they banded together in groups, hence the deep-seated human need for social interaction.
So it makes sense that filling our lives up with meaningful activities (exercise, jounraling, helping people etc.) helps lessening the feeling of loneliness, since we realize that we are self-sufficient on our own. Of course that doesn't eliminate the need of human relationships altogether and it really shouldn't, but it allows us to have a realistic perception of how much social interaction is truly necessary for us.
I'll add my own input: sometimes it's not lack of social interaction, but even bad social interactions cause loneliness. What do you think?
@thoughtfulPillow12
Thank you for your thoughtful response :)
I do think lonliness is a primordial tendancy, based on the need to band together for safety. I feel like I got this idea from something on National Geographic. Humans are certainly not the only social creatures. You can even think of pets whose behavior changes when they are not alone. Theres a lot to be said for the benefits of being with others. And then there is the snow leopard (Im also into ‘Planet Earth) who spends most of its time alone. Perhaps it has adapted to be that way because its natural circumstances.
@thoughtfulPillow12
I also agree- meaningful interactions are key. Maybe the question we should be asking ourselves is, How can I deepen my existing relationships? versus, How can I have more relationships.