The challenge of Loneliness in October 2024

The challenge of Loneliness in October 2024

These day’s loneliness has become an epidemic. Research has shown that there is a strong correlation between loneliness and stress. The more time we spend alone, the more prone we are to low moods, trouble sleeping, and increasing levels of stress. Loneliness can take a serious toll on our physical health as well. Studies have found that chronic loneliness can increase the risk of developing heart disease by 29% and the risk of stroke by 32%. In fact, it carries the same mortality risk as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

The shift to remote work, sparked by the pandemic, has brought many benefits but also heightened feelings of isolation. We humans are wired for social connection and working on our sense of belonging helps us thrive both mentally and physically. Without daily interactions with colleagues, many people have lost their primary sources of social connection. Paradoxically, even though loneliness is harmful, many are reluctant to return to the office.

It has been found the loneliness working from home increases stress and then its so easy when we feel isolated to then go off and prefer to be alone. It’s a big problem with 78% of GenZ now reporting feeling lonely.

So why don’t we want to go back?

A variety of factors play into this hesitation. For one, working from home offers a sense of control and flexibility that traditional office settings don’t. The long commute, office politics, and tough schedules are all stressors that people want to avoid. Some individuals have found that remote work allows them to manage their time better, focus more on personal responsibilities, or maintain a healthier work-life balance. There’s also the fear of losing autonomy and maybe being subjected to a less than empathetic corporate culture.

However, as beneficial as remote work can be, it often comes at the expense of social interaction. We humans are social creatures, and connection is critical for our mental health. Without it, loneliness can creep in, leaving us feeling more stressed and overwhelmed.

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But what can we do about it?

One crucial question we should ask ourselves is: Do we have friends we can trust in difficult times?

Building meaningful relationships takes time and effort, but it is one of the most important steps we can take to counteract loneliness and manage stress. Having someone who will listen, provide support, and share our burdens can make all the difference.

When I suffered mental exhaustion working 84 hours a week and attended counselling I learned to understand gratitude and the importance of having some fun. When I announced that I was going to run the Dublin Marathon some close people to me were amazed. What? they said, “You are mentally exhausted and now you want to be exhaust your body” they didn’t understand it.

I knew exercise would be good for my mental health what I did not know was I would meet new friends and surround myself with like-minded people who would have fun reaching a goal of running a marathon.

Running a marathon is not just a test of physical endurance—it's a journey that pushes you mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For me, one of the most powerful aspects of this journey was running alongside like-minded people. We all had the same goal: to cross that finish line. But what made it truly special wasn’t just the individual accomplishment. It was the camaraderie, the shared struggle, and the collective support we gave each other along the way.

Every mile we ran together was an opportunity to lift each other up. There were moments when fatigue set in, and the finish line seemed so far away. That’s when a simple word of encouragement from a fellow runner made all the difference. A pat on the back, a reminder to keep pushing, a shared smile—all those small moments created a sense of unity that kept me going.

Running with people who share your mindset, who understand your goals, creates an unspoken bond. We helped each other fight through moments of doubt, offering strength when one of us was low. In a world where so many of us working from home and struggle with isolation and stress, that sense of community is invaluable.

Running made me happy and you may not realise not all happiness in life is created equal I changed from feeling short lived feelings of joy in getting something off my to-do list to a more lasting happiness based on meaning, purpose and connection.

The marathon became more than just a race. It was a reminder that we are stronger together than we are alone. The lessons I learned from that experience are ones I carry with me every day. When you surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you, you realize that the challenges you face are not just obstacles—they’re opportunities to grow, both individually and as part of a team.

So engaging in some kind of leisure activity or movement it does not have to be a marathon or an ultra marathon activates and challenges your brain which in turn can build new pathways that can lead to positivity and lead to lasting happiness.

In a time where we have 60,000 thoughts a day and most of them negative, where we breath 960 breaths an hour and most of them shallow, to checking our phones 2,619 doom scrolling that just adds to our anxiety and stress. Lets take a moment to increase our movement and make an effort to get more sleep. Sleep is the garbage disposal for the brain which helps us process emotions and strengthen our prefrontal cortex which can reduce our stress and anxiety and make us happier.

If you would like to know more about my corporate journey to mental exhaustion working 84 hours a week read my book “ The Bulletproof Banker “ available on Amazon.de for delivery to Ireland or your local Amazon site .

If you would like to know more about my Stress and Resilience coaching check out my website bjkennomotivation.com