Escape into happiness

There is a great book titled the ‘Lonely Crowd’, by David Riesman, highlighting the fact that one can be lonely with crowds of people around you. Loneliness is what you feel when you think no one cares about you. If you are rich and famous, can you escape loneliness? Celebrity suicides like Robin Williams, that leap out of the front page in every newspaper, prove that, it is not so. Imagine smoking 15 cigarettes every day. Loneliness has the same impact on your health. The whole thing seems a vicious circle. If you are lonely you get sicker, if you are sick you feel even lonelier. Loneliness makes you vulnerable to a whole lot of health issues: heart disease, cancer, depression and dementia. The only antidote is of course close family ties and loving friends. People, who care for you, listen to you and give you hugs when you need them. The wellness and happiness chemicals can keep loneliness at bay. The loneliness epidemic helps us to focus on the isolation felt, especially by elders. True happiness is helping others, it is said. It is also the antidote to loneliness as it releases serotonin in the blood. Billionaires give away their wealth to experience this spirit of joy that banishes loneliness. A networked life builds walls against loneliness. Oxytocin is released by hugs especially the undeserved ones. It is enhanced by laughter, play and close interactions. Of course, endorphins released during exercising particularly in groups, create an immediate if temporary high. Who can forget dopamine, that is released as we achieve your dreams and goals. When one is awash in all 4 chemicals, one can swim in a sea of happiness and well being. So many things can help especially when shared: food, music, exercise, conversation and singing, are great ways to escape loneliness. “Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness”, writes Maya Angelou. All we want is to reach out and touch another human being not just with hands but with our heart. So reach out and build, connect. The more you enjoy high touch in this high tech world, the greater your chance of long term happiness!