Loneliness can have significant impacts on our physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. Understanding the neurophysiological basis for this is important.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.
Currently, there is frequent discussion regarding the so-called loneliness pandemic. This term is often used to describe the impact of feeling isolated or alone and the implications on our wellbeing. This impacts our physical, emotional, and psychological health. The importance of this phenomenon cannot be underestimated. In fact, the previous surgeon general under the Biden administration, Vivek Murthi, emphasized this issue.
It is important to understand the mechanism by which loneliness can impact our overall health and wellbeing. With this acknowledgment, we are able to devise strategies in order to best manage not only the concept of loneliness, but its implications. It is important to consider how loneliness can impact directly upon our physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing. The strategies to best manage this become vital in our modern day society.
When we consider the neurophysiological basis for the impact of loneliness, we can better understand the widespread effects. Using the framework provided by the Practices of the Healthcare Athlete and the application of Polyvagal Theory upon which it is based, we are able to better understand the implications of loneliness. At the outset, it is important to distinguish a similar yet distinct concept, solitude. Loneliness refers to an unwanted experience of being by oneself. Solitude on the other hand, while on the surface may appear similar, is a deliberate and intentional practice in which we are on our own for various purposes. The neurophysiological implications are very different between loneliness and solitude.
Continuing with this paradigm, we can consider that loneliness occurs when we have shifted into overwhelmed and shutdown states. As a result of the attributes associated with these states, we frequently avoid social interaction and distance ourselves from others. This is often what is referred to as loneliness. In contrast when we make a deliberate choice from an anchored and grounded state to be on our own, for whatever purpose, we experience solitude.
As has been discussed in past articles, there is significant importance in maintaining anchored and grounded states as it pertains to our health and wellbeing. In order for us, as humans, to recover and restore, it is necessary that we shift towards anchored and grounded states. This allows our biology to restore homeostasis, thereby promoting healing and repair and, ultimately, promoting health and wellbeing. When we are stuck within overwhelmed and shutdown states we are unable to fully recover and restore our homeostasis. This is often associated with significant emotional, psychological, and physical ailments on account of the progressive deterioration and diminishment of our resources when we are unable to fully recover. Without sufficient recovery, we are unable to heal and restore, leading to inevitable and negative consequences on our physical, emotional, and psychological health.
It is also important to note that while we may experience being alone and lonely as a result of shifting into overwhelmed and shutdown states, on account of the attributes of these states, it is also possible that being alone shifts us into these states. As such the experience of these states can either drive towards the experience of loneliness or result from being alone. In both instances, however, the impact is similar. By virtue of becoming stuck in overwhelmed and shutdown states we are less likely to seek out social interaction. In addition, we are unable to shift into anchored and grounded states, thereby experiencing the negative impact on our health and wellbeing for the reasons discussed above.
In order to promote health and wellbeing, as discussed in past articles, it is necessary to develop the ability to shift into anchored and grounded states. This can occur along any of the three pathways: internal, external, or relational. When we consider the relational pathway, it is important to note that social interaction can be a strong driver towards anchored and grounded states. This, however, requires that the social interactions provide cues towards anchored and grounded states. If, on the other hand, we are around others who provide cues of uncertainty, risk, or threat this will drive our biology towards activated, anxious, overwhelmed, and shutdown states.
The above understanding is very important. This is particularly the case given the often discussed strategy of addressing the loneliness pandemic by obtaining and increasing social interaction. The above understanding informs that it is not solely the presence of social interaction which is important, but the quality of those interactions. In order to provide the desired benefit of improving our overall health and wellbeing through shifting towards anchored and grounded states, it is essential that the social interactions provide cues towards those states. It is also important to recognize that we can also accomplish similar shifts in our biological states through the internal and external pathways. These can provide very important, complementary strategies in addition to seeking out positive and nurturing social connections.
This understanding of the wide variety of strategies and tactics which we can employ to shift our biological state towards anchored and grounded states is important as it is not always the case that nurturing and regulating social interactions are readily available. It is important to understand this concept so that we can utilize other strategies and tactics as needed. It is also important to recognize that when we initially shift towards anchored and grounded states, through the use of tactics along the internal and external pathways, this will also facilitate social connection through the inherent activation of social engagement, which emerges from anchored and grounded states. When we are able to connect with trusted others, this can be a direct method to activate social engagement and shift our biology towards anchored and grounded states.
The complete understanding provided through the above discussion allows for the most robust application of strategies and tactics to combat the loneliness pandemic and its impact on overall health and wellbeing. When we fully understand the neurophysiological basis for both loneliness, as well as its implications on our health and wellbeing, we are empowered to address the phenomenon through a variety of effective strategies and tactics.
To learn more, including about polyvagal informed coaching for healthcare professionals, and others in high demand domains, please visit www.darindavidson.com.
Dr. Darin Davidson partners with Learner+, a CME/CE reflective learning platform for healthcare providers. For the opportunity to reflect on this article and earn CME/CE credits, Launch here. Check out all past articles which are also eligible for reflections and CME/CE credits.