The Loneliness Epidemic — YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Harvard Business Review published an article written by Dr. Vivek H. Murthy:

Work and The Loneliness Epidemic 

The shocking fact —

“Today, over 40% of adults in America report feeling lonely, and research suggests that the real number may well be higher… many employees — and half of the CEOs — report feeling lonely in their roles”.

During his years caring for patients, the most common pathology is not heart disease or diabetes; it is loneliness.

Loneliness is often in the background of clinical illness, contributing to disease and making it harder for patients to cope and heal.

Loneliness and weak social connections are associated with a reduction in lifespan similar to that caused by smoking 15 cigarettes a day. 

Loneliness causes stress. And chronic stress could hijack your brain’s prefrontal cortex, which governs decision making, planning, emotional regulation, analysis, and abstract thinking.

Loneliness is both painful AND harmful. 

Chances are, you or someone you know may be struggling with loneliness right now.

Ask yourself — 

How much do your LIKE and TRUST yourself?

How many…

Trusting (people whom you are willing to reveal a secret of yours),

Encouraging (people who give you courage), and 

Empowering (people who give you the power to be you)  

... Relationships do you have? 

Now, I am lifting the curtain on loneliness… 

Due to childhood trauma or/and hash parental guidance, many of us have developed low self-esteem. To look good on the outside, we are buried in busy and somewhat addicted to achievements. No matter how successful we look on the outside, deep down, we somewhat feel not worthy. Does it sound familiar? 

BUT, we are not a product of our own misery. 

There are a few practical actions we can take to manage that loneliness: 

• Don’t let one person’s negative comment keep you from fulfilling your potential. Oprah was once told she was not fit for TV. The rest is history
• Shut down that negative self-talk
• Love yourself, then, you will be able to love others
• Take the courage to say NO, graciously and positively
• Let go of your past failures. Today is a new day. Don’t waste another day feeling sorry for yourself
• Allow yourself to be vulnerable. Do a gut check — make sure the people you entrust your secrets to are positive, encouraging, and emotionally healthy
• Reach out to help others — and accept help when it is offered
• Don’t shy away from seeking professional help when needed

Finally, I would like to end this post with Brene Brown’s remarks:

“True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging does not require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.”

DO THIS: Come up with 3 meaningful ways to appreciate yourself this week

Love yourself. Be grateful for yourself.

© 2021 Corinna Kong. All Rights Reserved.