No matter how challenging life gets, our connections make us stronger. When you know you have the support of people you can trust, you’ll believe that you are “not alone.” And this connection is worth celebrating.
In 2018, the U.K`s then-Prime Minister Theresa May established a Ministry of Loneliness, and made this modern plague a threat against not only public health but also the state. Research shows that 45% of British adults feel lonely. But, why is this important? Is loneliness dangerous? Why is it regarded as a problem that needs to be tackled by the government?
Scientists state that loneliness loads negative burdens on a person such as anxiety, depression, despair, worthlessness, and resentment and that these could lead to other health problems. The economic implications of mental health, a phenomenon that extends beyond trends, can be as high as 4% of a country’s GDP (gross domestic product). Yes, the level of people’s happiness does have a dramatic effect on the economy of their country. Let’s explain this influence by examining current times. The rise of technology and the increase in innovation have caused economies to be built more on ideas. Feeling good is essential for innovation and productivity. From this perspective, it becomes important for countries to preserve the good mood of their citizens for the sake of the country’s wealth and competitive power. The fact that everyone is looking for new ways to feel better has given birth to the “wellness” market. In other words, you contribute to this market every time you visit the spa, buy a beauty product or a supplement, or practice yoga. But what does it mean in terms of numbers? The Global Wellness Institute estimates this contribution to be $4.2 trillion. By 2030, it’s expected to reach $6.75 trillion. Have your favourite brands started flashing before your eyes?
IN PURSUIT OF WELLNESS Why do we spend so much money to feel “better?” In the simplest terms, everyone wants to feel good. But, let’s try and look for deeper reasons. It’s a fact that technology has made our lives more convenient - and lonelier. Indulge me for one second and think about what you do in your leisure time. Sleep, work, chores, shopping, self-care, and eating are the essentials. This equals roughly 20 hours out of 24. Based on the global data of 2022, a person spends an average of 2.5 hours a day on social media. To get to the bottom of this calculation, it’s more than enough to discuss TikTok. The platform has upended the dynamic of all social media companies and carried the competition to another level. According to the Wall Street Journal, global users spend 17 million hours a day watching Reels and 200 million hours on TikTok. The influence of TikTok is not limited to social media giants. It has drastically reduced the duration for which people are watching videos so much so that it has a disruptive effect on our perception. People’s attention span have been further narrowed. Considering all this, I believe we need to take a closer look at what we’re losing. On a macro level, global risks are higher than ever in recent years. In addition to risks that threaten our very existence such as the climate crisis, social dependence erosion, and loss of biodiversity, our quality of life is also under attack due to the increase in living expenses, stagnation in global economies, and geopolitical tension. We should also add the effects of Covid-19 and its aftermath into the equation. Once people shut themselves in for protection, the aforementioned anxieties have showed an abnormal increase. And this increase manifested itself in the business world only in the shape of YOLO (You Only Live Once). People have started questioning their lives and wanted to make it more meaningful. By March 2022 in the U.S., 4.5 million people had quit their jobs. The number of people who did not wish to belong to a single place alone caused great shifts in the workforce. Consequently, the era of Great Resignation has begun. Due to technological developments, artificial intelligence has become a pressure factor for people. Considering all these elements together, we’re faced with a grand question: Are we losing our human connection in this cycle of loneliness and destructive change? We live in a time when it’s easier to send a text to a stranger than say “hello” to their face, or react with an emoji to a friend’s story rather than complimenting them in person. Clearly, the way we communicate with each other is changing. First and foremost, we’re splitting our lives in two - physical and digital - and very soon, a third compartment will be added, the virtual. No matter how advanced technology becomes, we still exist based on the same drives. There have been millions of instances during the pandemic when we realised that we’re social beings. The human connection envelopes a feeling of intimacy and belonging one can experience when they build supportive relationships with the people around them. We have a fairly wide sphere of influence that includes family, friends, acquaintances, romantic relationships, and professional relationships. I believe the fundamental problem we face today is that this influence is being replaced by other tendencies. How we feel will become more significant in the future. We will see “mood” festivals and the emergence of a new profession akin to “Mood & Empathy Manager.” Another interesting profession of the future may be “Nostalgists” who will re-create people’s memories. As long as we retain this form, our social connections will continue to be of importance. I wanted to reserve celebration, the theme of this issue, for last. No matter how burdensome life gets, our connections make us stronger. When you know you have the support of people you can trust, you’ll believe that you are “not alone.” And this connection is worth celebrating. We need to spend an increasing amount of energy to try and understand this emerging new world; however, we must also explore new ways to preserve our values and abilities.
Finally, I’d like to offer some tips for those who don’t know where to start. 1. Consider volunteering for a non-governmental organisation nearby. 2. Consider joining a local group that meets regularly such as a book club or a hiking club. 3. Try and avoid cancelling plans. 4. Try to be more physical. 5. Ask questions. We need each other to overcome the hardships of life. Make sure to add at least three decisions to your 2023 resolutions that will strengthen your human connection.