Loneliness is a negative feeling, a feeling of uneasiness and discomfort. It arises when the social and relationship requirements are not fulfilled. It is a state of mind that makes people feel alone, prefer solitude, and presume to be unwanted. Loneliness can have a serious impact on physical and mental health. It is linked to anxiety, depression, poor self-regulation, substance addiction, and eating disorders. Lack of social connection leads to loneliness and heightened anxiety. Moreover, loneliness increases the risk of low self-esteem and sleep problems. The stereotypes associated with loneliness lead to overlooking people who are suffering from this problem and struggling with their mental health. Therapy, counselling, and practicing mindfulness, meditation, self-care, and emotional wellness are some methods that can be effective in coming out of loneliness. Practicing meditation can help to overcome the pain and suffering associated with loneliness.
Establishing a meditation practice can help in the following ways:
- Meditation helps in increasing self-awareness. It helps understand your emotional triggers and identify the reasons for when and why you feel lonely.
- It helps to understand your current emotional state and realize interrelatedness with all those around you.
- Loneliness arises when people dwell on past experiences and worry too much about the future. It helps you to feel satisfied with the present and experience the beauty and warmth around you. It helps to openly accept the present and be curious and nonjudgemental of what is going around you.
- Practicing meditation develops self-compassion. Being compassionate helps us understand the importance of social connection and improves our ability to connect and adjust with others.
- It strengthens our resilience and patience. We learn to accept our loneliness with kindness and courage and give up the feelings of fear and despair. It helps to understand that loneliness is a temporary state that can be overcome.
It is better to practice meditation under the guidance of an expert. You can start with guided meditation and follow these steps:
- Sit in a quiet and comfortable place, cross-legged on the ground or in a chair with your feet on the ground.
- Close your eyes and start with deep breaths. Feel the inhaling and exhaling and how the breaths enter and leave your body.
- Recognize your feelings and emotions. Accept that it is ok to be lonely and that you are worthy of love and connecting with others.
- Imagine that light enters your body, expanding and helping you connect with others. Focus on this light and try to accept that you are happy, healthy, and will be free from pain. Extend these wishes to everyone.
- Gently bring your attention to your breath and surroundings, open your eyes, and try to understand how you are feeling at the moment, try to understand your state.
You can start with a few minutes and gradually extend the time. You cannot get rid of loneliness in a single day but with regular meditation, you will develop inner peace and connection with practice.
Dr. Anjum Nazir Qureshi,
Assistant Professor,
Rajiv Gandhi College of Engineering Research & Technology,
Chandrapur, India.