No man, or woman, should be an island
Loneliness is closely associated with depression and even neurosis.
People who are alone are likely to die prematurely.
Yes, every South African has a right to privacy; however, spending a lot of time alone can lead to an early death.
Though for many people it is circumstances that cause their loneliness, there are other people who choose to be alone – not knowing the risks that come with isolation.
Chronic loneliness is when one feels cut off, disconnected and alienated from other people, in a way that it feels impossible to have any meaningful human contact. People in romantic relationships can also suffer from loneliness. A study has shown that chronic loneliness, or being lonely for an extended period of time, is as seriously bad for your health as a smoking habit or obesity – it increases your chances of dying young by almost 15 per cent, compared to sociable people.
According to a Chicago University psychologist, John Cacioppo, long-term loneliness is linked to higher blood pressure and a risk for heart disease – the lonelier people living with these conditions feel, the more likely they are to have above average blood pressure.
Local psychologist Gcina Sithole said the elderly suffer from loneliness for various reasons. Some live alone after their children move out of the house, some never had children to begin with, others are either widowed or have divorced and still others were never married.
His statement has a focal point, with a study showing that married men live longer than single men, as unmarried men often die prematurely because of prolonged loneliness. The study proved that loneliness or living alone also affects the sleeping patterns of people who are socially isolated.
Ntokozo Mnisi of Krugersdorp’s CBD has lived alone for more than half his life. He says it was never by choice, but his family lives outside Gauteng.
“I came to the West Rand a year after I passed Grade 12 to look for a job and lived alone, which didn’t seem to be a problem for me because I knew my situation. Now that I understand the impact loneliness has on people, I know the reason behind the poor quality of my sleep, and why I felt depressed. I still live alone, but now more often than not, I keep myself busy and I have made friends who visit me sometimes,” said Ntokozo.
These activities can help with loneliness:
• Make time for your hobby or try something new like joining a gym or an art class to meet people
• Communicate with another lonely person
• Explore your spirituality
• Visit a local organisation or a sports club
• Have a positive attitude towards yourself: if you consider doing something, do it and don’t underestimate yourself
• Instead of making a phonecall or chatting on social media networks, meet in person
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