Why is it so commonly thought that men are supposed to be these emotionless beings who should not cry nor show any vulnerability? Deep down, men are vulnerable but still feel pressure to maintain that image. A lot of times, they bottle up whatever they’re feeling, which tends to make them feel worse.
The truth is, men get lonely because they may not be able to open up and share their innermost feelings with their partner or friends. A man can have all the success in the world, but still feel lousy and lonely a lot of the time.
Men can feel lonely if they are being emotionally neglected. In other words, men need to be heard. Loneliness is not necessarily having nobody, it’s more about not having emotional support and empathy when the going gets tough. Here’s how to tell if a man is feeling lonely and what can you do about it.
Signs of loneliness
There are several warning signs that could signal a state of loneliness.
- Feeling sluggish and tired all the time. Loneliness can result in a lack of purpose and direction and result in just living miserably on a daily basis.
- Having the urge to accumulate lots of material possessions helps fill an empty void in a man’s life and makes him feel a bit more important, even if it’s just an illusion. Material possessions may also work as a tool to impress and attract others, in the hope that bonding and friendships might result.
- Having low self-esteem is also a sign that a man is not finding positive reinforcement through others in his life.
The impact of loneliness on mental and physical health
The mental implications that loneliness can bring include depression, stress, and panic. These in turn can lead to serious health issues.
- Sleep deprivation can happen easily, if men constantly internalize their anxieties, wishing they had someone to share things who is more supportive.
- Studies have shown that high blood pressure is also prevalent among people who are lonely.
- Loneliness can actually lead to long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease and reduce a person’s immunity to other life-threatening conditions.
Maintaining friendships
As soon as a man enters a committed relationship and marries, it can seem that his partner takes control over his social life, looking for ways to cancel out her spouse’s previous bachelor status. His time with the guys gradually dwindles to nothing.
Men need to have their “breathing space” to spend time with their male friends. This is vital for the health of a marriage because a man can feel like he is being put under pressure between work and family commitments, with no time for himself.
Finding solutions
In a society that is gradually stepping away from stereotypical roles, men are feeling more freedom to open up and express their thoughts, emotions and insecurities.
The fallacy that women only fall for the strong, silent type has seen its day, and now it is up to men to take that step, feel good with themselves as they are, and offer the qualities that will also make others around them feel less lonely.
