Chronic loneliness can increase cortisol and inflammation and weaken your immune system, says social scientist Kasley Killiam. She argues it’s time to accept that good quality social connections are a fundamental human need.
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..”we’re more connected than ever, but not in meaningful ways.” Which is one reason I shitcanned FB. Zuck being a fascist sympathizer another.
So I’m off 2 aquafit, where I can splash around like a kid & connect with real people in the real world. Instead of touching grass, I’m off 2 touch water.
😀🌊
Dogs do much more to assuage my loneliness than people do, on average. And my dogs also bring me into contact with people in my community who also like dogs. Win win.
In a pro sickness society like America, being extroverted can cost you your life, lol. People can be pretty active while doing things on their own. Marriage can cause cortisol, too! Stop pushing codependency.
Humans are social creatures & our built environment has destroyed those connections over time. Online spaces can fill the gap, but a lot of those sites/forums have shrunk down over time
It is harder to make friends as one gets older (and many old friends die off), however, the culture is very different from the 1960s that I remember. Even both political parties had a wide range of thinking with very liiberal and very conservative folks in both parties.
Is it worth those health benefits when you can’t tell who is contagious with a highly pathogenic novel virus and virtually no one is masking anymore? 🦠
I have weekly online sessions with some close friends. It's not perfect but for about 4 hours every week, we get to disconnect from reality and go save a fantasy world.
Everyone we know stopped masking and most of them got SARS 2. I hafta assume anyone who didn’t admit to contracting it is either asymptomatic, deluding themselves or hiding the fact. We haven’t seen anyone in 3 years and online meet ups are few and far between.
Sorry, but having to deal with others has hurt my mental and physical health my whole life. As an introvert who recently retired and spends most of her time alone, I am not lonely at all.
Or you can just admit you’re a social loser and get yourself a nice AI friend. You can dial up any kind you want. And yeah the AI company will own your soul but you sold that a long time ago so it’s OK.
It's so sad to me that there are so many introverts in this thread that think because they're introverts, they can't have or make friends. =( Shoot me a reply or a DM guys, I'll be your Bluesky friend!
Lol the replies on this post. We need connection as humans. We need to be part of supportive, friendly communities. Bowling Alone has the same findings.
And these finding have been around for a decade, if not longer. Human beings are “pack animals” as you note, and this isn’t news. I can’t understand why people fight against it so hard. America’s rugged individualism has melted our brains, I fear!
It's going to depend on one's level of introversion (anxiety-induced shyness is not the same thing, imo), but I find remote gaming sessions to be a great way to socialize, if you (general) can find "your people." I'm involved with a small gaming group among coworkers, for example. 🤔
The "loneliness epidemic" is usually couched on the presumption that it ONLY effects those who are middle class or otherwise financially comfortable. It rarely considers those who are unhoused or otherwise economically isolated. Much like the framing of those affected by climate change, sadly.
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So I’m off 2 aquafit, where I can splash around like a kid & connect with real people in the real world. Instead of touching grass, I’m off 2 touch water.
😀🌊
(It's my weekly D&D session.)
#socialmedia
A Bluesky #WatchParty is like hanging w friends & acquaintances in a cheery town square: always welcoming w interesting & fun low-stakes socializing 🥰
But there's barely anything in real life.
I've never understood the fascination with games myself.
Though I have my interests which I talk about online, a gathering isn't necessary.
I'm alone, but not terribly bothered by it.