Humans are a social species, yet even though all of us crave connections, sometimes they prove to be elusive. And that’s true even when there are millions of people around us.
While Singapore may be known for being one of the world’s most liveable cities, a significant portion of the population report feelings of loneliness. Indeed, in one study, nearly 60% of young adults said they were dealing with loneliness.
Loneliness is about more than just being alone. It can impact our mental health, and research also indicates that it can affect physical well-being, too. However, it’s important to remember that while loneliness can be unpleasant, there are things that individuals who are experiencing loneliness can do. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at loneliness in Singapore, outlining some of the contributing factors, the health implications it can have, and some effective coping strategies.
Factors Contributing to Loneliness in Singapore
There are millions of people in Singapore, all living in a country that is around half the size of London. As such, you don’t have to look very far to find another human being — in fact, it’d be more difficult to find a part of Singapore where you don’t see other humans.
However, being surrounded by millions of others doesn’t mean that you can’t feel lonely. In fact, living in a densely populated environment such as Singapore may increase a sense of loneliness. It’s a phenomenon that affects all major urban areas; the more people there are, the more difficult it can be to form close connections.
There are other factors at play, too. Singapore can be a transient city in which many people, especially younger people, don’t stay for very long. A person might form a close connection with someone else, but then they leave, resulting in a sense of loss that contributes to feelings of loneliness.
And the internet, so beneficial for some things, can also increase a sense of loneliness. Singapore’s internet is among the fastest in the world, which is fantastic for getting work done, but not so fantastic for building meaningful, lasting connections. The average Singaporean spends nearly 7.5 hours looking at their smartphones every single day, impacting the amount of time they spend connecting with other humans.
There’s also the matter of how many hours people work in Singapore. Some 70% of professionals say they have poor work-life balance due to heavy workloads. In between work, the commute, and taking care of domestic responsibilities, many people can go many days without having a meaningful conversation with other people.
Effects of Loneliness on Mental and Physical Health
It’s easy to overlook the impact of loneliness, but while there are few implications of short-term loneliness, long-term loneliness can have significant consequences for an individual’s mental and physical health. Indeed, there’s research that suggests that it can increase the likelihood of early mortality by more than 25%.
There are three primary ways that loneliness impacts physical and mental health.
Behavioural
People who feel lonely are more likely to engage in habits that have long-term health consequences, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, or living a sedentary lifestyle (for example: spending evenings playing video games or watching Netflix).
Psychological
Loneliness can lead to poor self-esteem, an increased risk of depression, and an increase in stress, all of which can harm a person’s enjoyment of life.
Being lonely can also make mental health symptoms worse, since many of the effective strategies for improving mental health conditions involve other people (for example, discussing your difficulties with a trusted friend).
Physiological
Growing bodies of research suggest that loneliness may have physiological implications that impact how the body functions. For example, chronic loneliness has been associated with poor immune systems, an increased risk of high blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues, and disruptions to the function of the metabolism.
Coping Strategies for Dealing With Loneliness
It can be unpleasant to deal with loneliness. However, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s something that everyone deals with from time to time, and there are also plenty of effective coping strategies that you can utilize.
Listen To Your Emotions
It’s more difficult to combat loneliness if you’re unaware that it’s something you’re experiencing. Paying attention to your emotions — such as through meditation — can help draw your attention to feelings of loneliness. If you notice that you’re increasingly feeling lonely, then you’ll know it’s time to take action.
Reach Out To a Friend
We all lead busy lives, and, as such, it can be difficult to arrange get-togethers with friends. Many of us find it easier to simply stay in touch via text message. However, digital communication, while a useful tool, can’t replicate the benefits of meeting up in person. Look at connecting with your loved ones over dinner or, if time is short, over coffee.
Adopt a Pet
Adopting a dog or cat can help restore some of the connection that we strive for when experiencing loneliness. Plus, in the case of dogs, adopting a pet can also help you to meet new people — you’ll have plenty of small conversations with fellow dog owners, for example.
Get Therapy
Speaking about your issues with a trained professional, such as the team at Redwood Psychology, can help alleviate loneliness in numerous ways. They can help you unpack some of the issues that have led to your loneliness.
Building Connections and Finding a Community in Singapore
As we mentioned above, loneliness is a big issue in Singapore. The city, while fun, can make it difficult to make lasting connections. Some things you can do combat feelings of loneliness include:
Speak To Your Neighbours: You don’t have to be best friends with the people next door, but knowing who they are can make a world of difference.
Join a Club or Interest Group: Joining a football, badminton, or table tennis club is a great way to meet new people and beat social isolation.
Volunteer Your Time: Volunteering won’t just benefit you — it’ll also benefit society as a whole.
Get in Touch with Redwood Psychology Today
No one needs to live with loneliness. If you’re feeling lonely and would like some professional assistance, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
Comments