By Jordan Hildebrand ’26, staff writer
On campus and in tight-knit communities, connections are changing and devolving. The greatest destruction of peace is often attributed to the absence of meaningful human connection in the day-to-day lifestyle.
Often, it is easier for one to remain in their own world, failing to acknowledge the impact of their self-inversion on themselves and community members.
Debates over the importance of specific values in our society and the actual state of the world can all become too much for one person to bear. Not to mention, humans continue to add more stress to their lives through work and the absence of human connections.
Really, all humans need to do is talk. Everyone wants someone who will listen and validate. Maybe they don’t even need a conversation; they need a hug or some human interaction. Both options are entirely valid, and in so many ways, missing from so many day-to-day routines.
It is becoming more challenging for society to maintain a strong work-life balance. With hours piling up, financial stress requiring more and more overtime—or a second job—it all begins to feel impossible to hold together. This is especially prominent among people who don’t like to ask for help or don’t have the resources to handle it entirely on their own.
However, there are other ways to offload stress and decompress. The first and most easily accessible option is to build a support circle with those you are close to, where you and they can rely on each other to succeed and offload some stress.
It is the easiest option because we can all find ourselves close to someone in some capacity, making it easier to share stories and relate to others on an empathetic level.
Humans are social creatures, designed to live in the company of other humans. While solitude is nice, it’s impossible to live a life utterly devoid of company, as solitude can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Other options include seeking therapy; however, this one comes from a place of privilege. It is an expensive option that is only now becoming available through multiple channels (tele-health, in-person, etc.).
Having someone to sit with you while you go through a hard time is extremely important and can lead to positive mental outcomes, such as new ways of thinking, human connection, time to decompress, and the opportunity to share how you feel.
If the therapist does not match the energy put into the sessions in a way that is progressive for your benefit, it may only make the stress worse.
In the absence of meaningful connections, it becomes harder to offload how you feel, and easier to bottle it up, leading to repressed emotions, mood fluctuations, and even a harder time regulating emotions.
The value of human connection is necessary for survival, and it can only be acknowledged and accepted when isolation ends and closing out the world becomes a thing of the past.
When arms open and embrace community and belonging, finding a place where human connection becomes a priority is essential for a society that prioritizes money over well-being.