Loneliness And Mental Health

By Karen Modupe

Peplau and Perlam in 1982 suggested that loneliness is the disparity between one’s intended interpersonal relationship compared to the actual relationships they already have. Humans are inherently social beings that thrive in small units hence loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to the feeling of being isolated or alone.

Most times loneliness creates a feeling of emptiness, unwantedness, unworthiness, and the feeling of not being loved. It is described as the equivalent of physical pain, hunger or thirst which yearns for social connection in order to maintain the formation of social connections needed for the survival of our genes. Hence when one feels lonely, there is usually the urge to reach out to or reconnect with someone. In 2018, Cigna conducted a national survey, and it was discovered that the level of loneliness had reached an all-time high. The research indicated that almost half of 20,000 U.S adults sometimes or always feel alone. Forty per cent of participants also mentioned that the relationships they have with people are not meaningful and often feel isolated. If loneliness is not attended to, it could affect our physical health; for example, hypertension, coronary heart disease (mainly amongst women) and our mental health, leading to certain mental health conditions such as depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and low selfesteem, low self-confidence.

What can cause loneliness?

Low self-esteem is often characterised by a lack of selfconfidence and feeling bad about oneself and often exhibiting the feeling of being unlovable or incomplete or awkward. These ill feelings that one thinks about themselves often make them hesitant to engage with other people, and even if they do, they do not feel worthy enough of other people’s time and attention this brings about having fewer intimate relationships with people thereby increasing loneliness. Lack of self-assertiveness; being self-assertive is to be able to stand up for one’s rights and that of others politely without passively accepting wrong. When an individual lacks assertiveness and decides to be passive-aggressive instead of assertive, then it is difficult to build or maintain intimate relationships which invariably increases the feeling of loneliness. Social anxiety is also known as social phobia. It is the feeling of being nervous in engaging in social behaviours such as going out on a date or attending a party, etc. Feeling nervous about certain activities such as giving a presentation is normal, but when one begins to feel anxious, self-conscious, embarrassed, or overly worried toward everyday interactions depicts social anxiety. Being anxious around people all the time makes it more difficult to make new relationships or maintain existing relationships, thereby increasing loneliness. Trauma is an emotional response sustained like anxiety or fear due to a distressing event such as bereavement. Losing a loved one can suddenly induce the feeling of being lonely. Due to fear of losing a loved one, people also find themselves detaching from people they love because of the hurt of experiencing loss. Again, if a child was abused by a specific gender, there is every tendency for that child to withdraw from similar genders hence reducing social connections and in turn becoming lonely. Values confusion: personal values go a long way to defining who we really are. They are the characters and behaviours that motivate and guide our decisions and actions. Being around people with whom we share the same values is a way to engage with people, which helps to reduce loneliness. In the event that one’s values are confusing, it is easy to identify with people who have conflicting values thereby feeling disconnected and very lonely. Poor self-awareness: self-awareness is the ability to be conscious of one’s individuality, thoughts, actions, and emotions. With poor self-awareness, one begins to experience more negative emotions due to the inability to properly align one’s reactions or thoughts to a situation. Feeling disconnected from oneself due to poor self-awareness could increase the feeling of loneliness. Read the full article here: https://

mojatufoundation.org/mental-health/

THE ULTIMATE PARED

Down Skin Care Routine with Only 3 Products

By Beth Ann Maye

The skin is your body’s largest and most visible organ. No wonder so many people prioritize skin care. According to Statista, 1.68 million people in the U.S. spent at least $500 on skin care products during the last 3 months of 2020. But what if experts told you that it doesn’t take a vanity full of pricey products to give your skin exactly what it needs? “We don’t believe in dumping the kitchen sink at people’s skin,” says Morgana Colombo, MD, FAAD and a co-founder of Skintap. “We believe in using things that are needed and have good active ingredients that have proven efficacy.” Though those ingredients may vary from person to person, the building-block products remain the same. Here’s what a pair of dermatologists say everyone needs to care for their skin. They also dished on niceto-haves and items you can skip.

Must-have skin care products

Angelo Landriscina, MD, FAAD, says it’s easy to complicate things with so many products out there. When it comes to skin care, more isn’t always merrier. You “can actually make your skin worse by using too many products,” he says. A morning skin care routine is as easy as 1-2-3 (products). Landriscina advises people to apply the following three products in this order in the morning:

cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen

Landriscina says you can ditch the sunscreen at night and simply reapply cleanser and moisturizer.

Cleanser

Landriscina and Colombo agree that it’s essential to wash your face thoroughly with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser before applying any other products. This allows you to start with a clean slate and prevents other products from washing off. Landriscina suggests keeping it basic and avoiding something that strips the skin. However, figuring out what that means for you may not be an exact science. “It’s a trial and error thing,” he says. Plus, what works now may not be best for you in 10 years. “The right fit may change,” Landriscina says. “As we get older, our skin gets drier.” He says your best bet is to start with something designed for sensitive skin, as that’s least likely to cause irritation. If you know your skin type, Colombo suggests opting for something designed for it. For example, people with oily or acne-prone skin often do best with a foaming cleanser, whereas people with normal or dry skin typically prefer gentle, nonfoaming options. Colombo suggests Cetaphil Dermacontrol Foaming Cleanser for oily skin and Cerave Hydrating Cleanser for dry skin. Moisturizer: Landriscina explains that the skin is designed to keep the outside out (dirt, bacteria) and inside in (organs, bones, and joints). However, it can lose water. That’s where moisturizer comes in. “Using a good moisturizer repairs skin barrier function and holds in water,” Landriscina says. Landriscina recommends: La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 for those with dry skin. | Naturium Multipeptide Moisturizer for people with normal skin. | Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel Cream for those with oily skin. Sunscreen: Though some moisturizers have SPF 15, Landriscina and Colombo say it’s essential to apply sunscreen and reapply it every 2 hours if you’re exposed to the sun. They recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen, which blocks both harmful UVA and UVB rays. Look for one that is at least SPF 30. “UV rays and UV radiation are the primary modifiable risk factor when it comes to skin cancer risk,” Landriscina says. “Using sunscreen every day consistently the correct way is one of the best things you can do to prevent skin cancer.” Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). “It has to form an even film over the skin,” Landriscina explains. “Putting skin care products on after it can disrupt it.” Follow this link to read more on skin care: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/ the-ultimate-pared-down-skincare-routine