Why are people lonely?

It was World Mental?Health Day?yesterday, and you probably know that it's a topic dear to me, after my big?burnout a few years ago. Someone posted this question on Facebook:

Why are people lonely?

That got me thinking and I'd like to share what I wrote to mark the day, as well as invite you to reach out if you ever feel lonely and need a good natter over a cuppa...

Physical isolation has been a theme in our lives over the past couple of years, and there are many stories of elderly people who literally died of loneliness when they were cut off from their friends and?relatives during lockdown.

We are social animals, we need human, physical contact to stay healthy. It's been proven for example that hugs increase levels of dopamine, the happy hormone. My girl takes that from her mum, as I come from a family of huggers, and I can vouch for it- you feel so much better after a good hug!

Don't get me wrong,?I'm ever so grateful for the opportunities that technology has given me during lockdown, as I would have never engaged with people from all over the world like I did?and been able to?carry out?my business online without the tech.

Yet, I was so happy to go back to face to face networking events this year, and enjoy meeting people in the flesh! Someone told me that online meetings are difficult for many of us, as humans aren't wired to engage with people and see themselves on camera at the same time - that's too disturbing apparently...

Increased connectivity hasn't been followed by an increased sense of being connected to each?other. It's a good make-do when you can't meet in person, but it doesn't replace a real get together.

Out of the many 'friends', 'connections', or 'followers' you have on social media, how many do you truly consider as someone you'd open your heart to if you needed to?

Bizarrely we seem to?get trapped in spending our nose buried in our screens, whilst paying no attention to the people or creatures?who are present around us. I'm seeing so many new parents walking past our house, pushing a pram or a buggy, with a dog (or 2!) on a leash, and still scrolling down their smartphone...

And whilst we were encouraged to go out for some physical activity in the fresh air during lockdown for our mental health, it seems that ordering online for convenience items is still increasing. I spotted the Deliveroo logo at a few local supermarkets lately. So many opportunities are missed to get to know your local community when you order everything online!

We are connected thanks to technology,?and yet we are losing connection - with nature, with ourselves and with Source.

Mother Nature is such a great healer, having a walk outside even for 15 minutes does wonders! I will?forever be?grateful for the way Nature held me and nurtured me whilst I was recovering from my burnout.

We also need to reconnect with who we truly are, not who we are told we ought to be, by the media, by the education system,?social influencers, and society at large.

When we are going inwards, and have the courage to?explore what truly?makes our heart sing, we may sometimes find ourselves?alone, but we will?never be lonely.

And last but not least, the disconnect with our spirituality can lead to a huge feeling of emptiness and loneliness.?

One of my best friends gently guided me towards rediscovering my spirituality during my recovery. I'm not talking about religion here, although I respect everyone who finds connection, a sense of belonging?and?solace through their faith.?

I'm talking about that sense of oneness, of having that deep sense?that we are connected to everything around us. I started on this path with practising yoga, and I?am now exploring other fascinating ancient modalities and universal truths, like energy work.

It has made me healthier mentally and happier emotionally and spiritually.

So here you go, a few reflections to mark the day, which I hope you'll find helpful at some point. And remember, you are not alone. We connected a while ago and I am always available to listen if you'd like to share something that is on your mind - be it in your business life or your personal life. If we can do that in person that's great, if it's on a zoom we can still have a cuppa!

Wishing you a good week and a healthy state of mind ????