How Hustle Culture May Lead to Loneliness? Expert Recommend 4 Tips to Manage it

This is a digitally driven world and hustle culture is the living theme. Every day begins with multiple task that require one to do that juggle and ends only to start again next day. Amid all this chaos and bedlam of the new age world, we often tend forget ourselves in it. Stuck in the cobweb, we do not prioritise  our mental health and our emotional well-being as much we should. Smart phones have become a habit and a need. So much so, that we sit in a room with friends yet our eyes are glued on screen. A mini gap in a conversation makes want to scroll Instagram. Yes, we all are guilty of it. Doomscrolling, has really messed with our heads and we fail to realise and anticipate the consequences the it entails.

Certain studies have time and again attributed social media as a catalyst towards feeling lonely especially in teenagers. The pressure to succeed in urban life is almost overwhelming, and this rat race mentality once again contributes to feelings of anxiety and loneliness.

Navigating ‘Loneliness’ on Hustle Culture

Speaking exclusively with India.com, Reet Patel, Psychologist, Mpower Helpline, Mumbai, explained that individuals move away from their loved ones to live in urban environments in order to become financially successful. This causes untold pressure on individuals, as failure is inexcusable after all the sacrifices they have made; especially in Indian societies. Even individuals who live in cities in their family homes are subjected to this pressure, as they have been brought up with toxic mindset of financial success as the paramount goal of lives.

Additionally, the work-life balance for working adults is almost non-existent, with no importance given to relationships or activities outside their career. According to the National Council of Applied Economic Research of India, the average adult spends 47-48 hours at work in a five-day. This highly skewed perspective again contributes to individuals reporting feeling loneliness in an urban setting.

Dr Mona Gujral, Delhi-based counselling psychologist and expert on coto, a women-only social community app, explained how such apps have a become an easy channel to connect to mental health therapists. individuals can get professional help to help combat their loneliness and anxiety, regardless of their location, and learn effective tools to help them manage this situation, become empowered and take a step towards better emotional well-being.

Understanding Social Media’s Connection With Loneliness

“Social media can create a false sense of connection and belonging. Online interactions lack the nonverbal cues, physical presence, and emotional intimacy that are essential for building and maintaining meaningful relationships. Having said that, it is important to acknowledge the inevitability of social media’s presence in our personal and professional lives,” says, Prakriti Poddar, Global Head, Mental Health at Roundglass Living app. She enlisted few ways to mitigate it:

• Cut back on social media use:  By setting boundaries, you can prioritise face-to-face interactions and cultivate real connections. When not on a break, set time blocks for scrolling and using social media.
• Be a Mindful User: Use social media with the intention of gaining a positive experience. Try to scroll without judgment and share posts without expecting an outcome. Clean up your feed by unfollowing accounts that spike anxiety or negative emotions.
• Foster Offline Connections: Make plans to meet up with friends and family over the weekend to watch a movie, visit a gallery, play a sport together, or go shopping. It’s the best way to cultivate authentic, meaningful social connections.

On the flip side, Saurabh Pandey, Founder & CEO, Eloelo – a homegrown live social media platform emphasises that the digital paradox of social media lies in its dual nature. Traditional social media was designed to connect us, yet endless mindless scrolling often leaves many young people feeling lonelier.

Loneliness can be hard to identify, but in 2023, 1.25 billion people reported feeling ‘lonely’ or ‘very lonely,’ according to the Global State of Connections Report. However, new-age social media platforms are emerging as a ray of hope, bridging the gap and helping people feel connected regardless of their location.According to Pandey here are some ways these new-age social media platforms help:

• Encouraging Self-Expression: Social media platforms allow users to express their thoughts, feelings, and creativity through live streaming, stories, and various forms of media, helping them feel heard and validated.
• Building Communities: These platforms enable users to join groups and communities with similar interests, hobbies, or life experiences. This sense of belonging can greatly reduce feelings of isolation.
• Creating New Connections: Social media helps users make new friends and expand their social circle. Homegrown apps facilitate live streaming and interactions with people both near and far, fostering meaningful relationships.

5 Tips to Manage Loneliness

To beat this invisible disease, we need to foster authentic social connections that anchor us emotionally, resulting in lower levels of stress and anxiety and greater empathy. In addition, embracing certain wellbeing practices and habits can also help us navigate loneliness and health challenges associated with it:

• Practice Meditation and Mindfulness: Meditation is the transformative practice of training the mind to experience a heightened state of awareness, deep relaxation, and tranquillity. It encourages you to be aware and mindful of what you are experiencing physically and mentally.
• Focus on your breath: Deep breathing can immediately calm an agitated mind.
• Be Physically Active: When you are feeling lonely, exercising may feel like the last thing you want to do but gently persuade yourself to get up and get going. Physical workout improves mood and enhances confidence and sense of self-worth. Working out in a public place could also provide you with ample social opportunities and interactions.
• Eat Healthy: A healthy diet greatly contributes to a positive state of mind. I can’t stress enough the importance of consuming foods rich in brain-boosting fats and essential nutrients like iron and calcium. These will restore your mental wellbeing while also adding to your physical health.

One must understand that even tiny experiences are worth sharing. Therefore, never hesitate to seek support professionally. Mental Health requires more candid conversations and it starts with oneself.