Guest Author - Pam Garlick

Do you think loneliness is a state of mind, or a state of being? Oh, you might be asking exactly what I mean, so I’ll explain. Why is it that some people can be lonely in a room filled with people; while others can be so content with themselves they can be alone for long periods of time and it doesn’t seem to bother them?

So, might one say, that aloneness is a state of being, and that it depends on a person’s state of mind whether they are lonely or content.

All this leads me to some interesting statistics I just read. A Duke University study, known as the “General Social Survey”, found that Americans seemed to have a smaller number of close friends than they did two decades ago. In fact, according to data they acquired in the study the number of close friends was reduced one third between 1985 and 2004.

The study also concluded that those people who lacked close companionship were at serious health risk. They found that of those patients studied who had heart disease, 50% of those who did not have a spouse or a close friend died within five years, compared to only 18% who had someone close to confide in.

This is not limited to the elderly or frail. I also recently read a statement from a high school teacher who stated he had been shocked after reading papers written by his students where they were addressing their most significant problems. While he had expected many social issues, such as drugs and peer pressure to be high on the list, what he found was that many of the students wrote about feeling lonely.

Life coach, Cheryl Richardson, has written several books with valuable information for improving one’s life. I recently read her book titled, “Stand Up For Your Life”, and found some of her suggestions right on target. Things it took me decades to learn.

However, it is her “Life Makeovers”, that I feel would be the most benefit for people who are lonely. She offers a 52-week program which is used by 4,000 Life Makeover Groups worldwide. At her web site, you can learn more about this course, her books and even find out if there is a Life Makeover Group near you. If not, you can learn how to start one.

Last, you can find my list of things that may help if you are troubled with loneliness at the bottom link:


You can purchase Cheryl Richardson's Books at: