Isolation and loneliness were common experiences before the pandemic, and now that many of us are working from home and continuing to social distance, our loneliness is greater than ever before.
Adequate social support is one of the highest predictors of happiness. In a famous longitudinal Harvard study, researchers looked and variables that predicted happiness in a group of graduates over the course of nearly 80 years. This study concluded that close relationships, more than money, influence, or occupational success are what keep people happy throughout their lives.
No wonder so many of us are lonely. Few of us recognize the importance of social connection until the hardship of loneliness becomes overwhelming. While exercise, quiet time, self-improvement, and time off are wonderful forms of “self-care” growth and maintenance of our relationships may be the best form of self-care we can do.
At Biltmore Psychology and Counseling, our psychologists and counselors specialize in helping people overcome feelings of loneliness, by helping them create rich, positive relationships with those around them.
