Studies suggest human interaction may be at an all time low and people are lonelier and more depressed than ever before. Why is this?
From my personal experience, either with myself or observing others, interaction with people is vital to our existence. Think of the happiest person you know. Chances are they spend quite a bit of time around other people, most of the time positive people.
Is it this simple to be happy? Hang out with someone and all symptoms of loneliness and despair disappear? The short answer is no. Being with someone certainly IS a major step in the right direction.
If you can’t think of anyone that would like to hang out with you, find someone. Go to the nearest retirement home. Ask the receptionist, “Do you know anyone who doesn’t receive many visitors?” I guarantee you they’ll find someone who would love to see you. You’ll be the highlight of their day.
Have people always been lonely and depressed? Maybe we simply haven’t known because it was taboo to say you were depressed back in the day.
Maybe the efficiency of Uber Eats, Netflix, and Amazon have given us an incredibly comfortable outlet to exist.
Have we traded the health and fulfillment derived from human interaction for convenience? If so, it sounds like a deal with the devil.