Nowadays, statistics show how more and more people are becoming lonelier because of physical, emotional, social, and mental factors, as revealed by Very Well Mind. According to a recent estimate, there are about 60 million people who are emotionally not ok just in the US alone.
Due to the increase in the number of those who are suffering emotionally, researchers at the University Of California San Diego School Of Medicine decide to dig deeper into this negative emotion. After the study, experts found loneliness is not just a mere negative emotion that results in isolation. It is a feeling that could lead to a shorter life, more than how smoking and obesity can do to one person.
In the study, which was published in the journal Aging and Mental Health, experts also found out how past experiences can trigger one's loneliness. Two of the most that affect one person's feelings and emotional stability is inadequate social skills and age-associated losses.
"Some residents talked about the loss of spouses, siblings, and friends as the cause of their loneliness," Alejandra Paredes, a research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, explained. "Others mentioned how making new friends in a senior community cannot replace deceased friends they grew up with", Paredes added.
Moreover, the researchers also found that some people are lonely deep inside because of the feeling of not having and knowing their purpose in life. Others, on the other hand, felt so lost, hopeless, and tired of not having control of their life and the situations they are in.
Since the feeling of frequent loneliness isn't a good thing, researchers also decide to study more about the natural ways people can overcome their loneliness. Experts say through their study, they were able to find how a lot of people have won their battle through life's wisdom and compassion to others. Others claim that, by accepting truths in life, especially with regards to aging and the things that we can't control, can help boost a more positive outlook. Some tend to look at the silver lining of everything even of being alone.
Researchers were able to successfully finish the study after 30 adults, between ages 67 and 92, were asked several questions, as reported by News18. Another set of group, about 100 adults, were also evaluated for their mental, physical, and cognitive functions.
The senior author of the study Dilip V. Jeste and also the senior Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at UC San Diego School of Medicine was very glad about the facts they've gathered through their recent research. According to the expert, unfolding the causes and understanding the mental health of our older population is very crucial to help them have a happier and longer life. And this study is anticipated to help improve their life big time.
