Loneliness Quotes How We Feel. Community Helps Us Heal.

“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they are watching their whole world fall apart, and all they can do is stare blankly.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald

Why Community Matters Now More Than Ever

In this famous loneliness quote by F.Scott Fitzgerald we are reminded of how debilitation loneliness can be. Our minds affect the quality of our lives, which makes caring for our mental health a necessity. One way to maintain a healthy mind is through human connection, which we find through community. Community is more than just the people that make it up. It’s about the feelings it provides. Essentially, our communities create connections that allow us to feel supported, accepted and loved.

Now, more than ever, it’s important to connect with others and care for our minds. As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing has changed the way we engage with our communities. In today’s blog, we’re dissecting why it’s staying connected with our community is so important.

We’re Social Beings

Long-standing research shows that humans are social creatures. That’s what has made this season of isolation so difficult for many of us. In fact, social interaction is actually essential in maintaining our mental health. Interestingly, humans are not the only creatures in need of community. Most animals rely on their packs or herds for socialization and emotional support too. In fact, research shows that even bacteria are able to identify and socially recognize themselves.

Feeling supported and surrounded by community is an important aspect of life for all living things. As humans, we unconsciously share and mirror neurons that allow us to connect on an emotional level with one another. Human communication is a result of the social aspect of our minds. In fact, we can even mirror one another’s brain activity when we communicate within our communities. Storytelling and listening activates parts of our brain that create genuine engagement and connection.

Are Loneliness and Social Isolation the Same?

“Keep in mind that to avoid loneliness, many people need both a social circle and an intimate attachment. Having just one of two may still leave you feeling lonely.”

— Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin in this loneliness quote draws attention to the fact that we can be lonely even when able to socialize. Over the last few months we’ve experienced a whole new level that is not voluntary--social isolation. 

When we are not able to connect to a community,  we can experience social isolation, which leads to loneliness. These are not the same thing. Loneliness is an emotion, which causes us to feel alone—regardless of social contact. On the other hand, social isolation deals with the level and frequency of our social interactions.

So, as we move forward in our “socially distant” world, it’s important to understand how social isolation and loneliness affect our minds. Surveys show that within the first month of the COVID-19 quarantine, loneliness increased by 20 to 30 percent and emotional distress tripled. This data shows an obvious connection between the lack of community and a healthy mind.

How Does Loneliness Affect My Mental Health?

“I’m lonely. And I’m lonely in some horribly deep way and for a flash of an instant, I can see just how lonely, and how deep this feeling runs. And it scares the shit out of me to be this lonely because it seems catastrophic.”

— Augusten Burroughs

Augusten Burroughs sums it up in this loneliness quote. Being lonely can have any adverse effects on our minds. Research shows that loneliness is associated with higher risks of anxiety and depression, especially in minority groups. The CDC reports that LGBTQ+ and immigrant populations are higher risk for loneliness, due to differences in culture, stigma and discrimination. It is critical that community is available to all people, regardless of their background. This is one of the reasons why we started mindmilk—an inclusive community for dreamers of all kinds.

Loneliness doesn't just affect our minds, however—it ultimately affects our physical health as well. Research shows that social isolation can result in poor sleep quality, impaired functional status, vision deficits and a perceived negative change in the quality of one’s life. 

Sadly, researchers have also found that loneliness is often associated with suicide attempts and completed suicide among adults. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and raise awareness and connect affected individuals with treatment services. This mental health campaign is just another example of the power community can have. If you are in crisis or are experiencing difficult or suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273 TALK (8255).

So, Why Is Community Important?

Community is a critical life component that allows us to thrive, especially those of us with underlying mental illnesses. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that community provides critical elements to our mental health. The three most important benefits of community are that it creates a sense of belonging, allows us to feel supported and helps us find our purpose in life.

Sense of Belonging

 Isolation can get pretty lonely, as many of us have learned recently. When we engage with our community, our minds allow us to feel accepted. At the same time, our identity is esteemed by being a member of a group. It’s important to feel like you belong—without having to change anything about yourself. Healthy community accepts and embraces its members for their unique qualities and abilities. Community gives all of us an impactful sense of belonging.

Feeling Supported

People need people. It’s so important to feel supported by another person or group. The connection we gain through community allows us to feel safe and secure. Knowing that we have people to lean on, to call after a bad day or to ask for advice from can benefit our brains more than we know. Feeling supported by a community can change our outlooks on life and help us maintain a healthy mindset.

Finding Your Purpose

“Loneliness is not lack of company, loneliness is lack of purpose.”

— Guillermo Maldonado

There are various roles throughout the community—meaning each person has an important role to fill. Maybe you’re the friend that people call for advice. Or perhaps you’re the one everyone can count on to lift their spirits. Whatever role you fill in your friend group and community, you matter. Our community roles can show us our purpose in life and help us see our strengths and weaknesses. Good thing we’re all different—a community simply couldn’t function without each of our unique abilities!

Hopefully this blog has helped you understand why community matters now, more than ever. Our minds value community, just like we value those around us. If you feel disconnected from community, join our online community of dreamers! At mindmilk, we believe in dreaming together and inspiring one another with our unique differences. We hope you’ll continue to explore and nourish your mind more with us!

Keep dreaming.

Love,

Mindmilk