How to Deal With Loneliness

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Nearly everyone feels lonely at times.  That includes people who seem to be popular. Why? Because often it is not the quantity of friends but the quality of friendships that determines whether a person  feels lonely.  Someone who seems popular could constantly be surrounded by people but have no real friends and therefore  feel lonely.

Loneliness can be hazardous to your health. Researchers who analyzed the results of 148 students concluded that low social interaction is a predictor of early death and that as  a risk, it is "twice as harmful as obesity" and "equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day." 

Loneliness can make you vulnerable.  In fact, it could cause you to settle for anyone who would accept  you as a friend.  "When you're lonely. You may be desperate for attention," says a young man named Alan. "You could begin to think that any attention is better than no attention. And that could lead to trouble. 

Technology does not always cure loneliness.  "I could text or e-mail a hundred people a day and still be incredibly lonely," says a young woman named Natalie. A teenager named Tyler feels similar. "Texting is like a snack, whereas face-to-face  contact is like  meal," he says.  "Snacks are great, but you need a full meal to feel satisfied. 

Next time: How to Deal With Loneliness - WHAT YOU CAN DO

From the AWAKE! magazine, 2015