We are getting closer to the end of the year. Perhaps this was a good for your or maybe it was a struggle to get through it. The one thing you can’t change is that it is almost over. The rest you can do something about, even at this stage of the year, which provides some encouragement. 

We will be looking at the second part of nested systems and causal chains, we will be looking at psychological and social aspects.

Psychological perspective

“Your psychology is the scientific study of your mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context. Your psychology affects and arises in the mind…Your psychology is related to your mental and emotional state.” (Heyns-Nell, C., 2022, Discover Your Amazing Brain, p.18).

Social perspective

“A social system is a patterned network of relationships that exist between individuals, groups, and institutions that form a well-organised unity” (Heyns-Nell, C., 2022, Discover Your Amazing Brain, p.21).

How does it work?

For most of us, the end of the year is something we look forward to. As we enter the last stretch of the year, we prepare to slow down. We prepare our work environment, ourselves and our clients. We prepare our work environment, ourselves and our clients. In addition, we start building excitement with out family, and our friends. For others, it becomes a very busy season work-wise. There is no time to slow down as we prepare our work environment, ourselves and clients for the holiday season. Yet for some us, it is the loneliest of the year.

So what happens to us psychologically and socially during this time of the year when we feel so lonely? Perhaps the question should be framed differently …  what happens to us psychologically and socially when we feel lonely. The loneliness started some time before the end of the year. Probably you carry the loneliness with you throughout the year, hoping that the end of the year will bring some relief. It could bring some happiness, some social connectedness with others because traditionally, this is the time for celebrations. But it does not always work like that. Your brain has been carrying that “loneliness load” for a while and unless you do something about it, it will not miraculously go away.

When you experience loneliness (your mental and emotional state), the mind sends signals to the brain and often when loneliness settles on you, you can feel the physical pain in your heart or in your body. Yes, it physically hurts. And loneliness is a big risk factor and contributes to the onset of depression (a mood disorder). When loneliness is exacerbated, it can create a negative feedback loop, which in turn increase feelings of isolation. Balanced serotonin levels help keep loneliness bay.Serotonin is both a neurotransmitter and hormone, present in the brain and the lining of the digestive tract. It controls the different switches affects various emotional states, sleep and memory. When you speak a lot of time on your own, isolating yourself, you start mediating on various thoughts. You start mediating on thoughts of unworthiness, on things that have gone wrong in your life, of no-one liking you, rejecting you. And this impacts your serotonin levels. In fact, spending a lot of time thinking negative thoughts about yourself and criticising yourself, lowers your serotonin levels. The negative psychological state has a knock-on effect. The loneliness leads to social anxiety, leading to avoidance of social interactions and further isolation.

Reflection and practical tips to move forward

Learning about your brain and how it works, helps you manage it better. Because your mind and brain never stops working, managing the content of your thought life, helps you to manage loneliness. Your brain responds to your thoughts, when you are asleep, when you are busy and also when you are on holiday.

Taking care of your psychology

Thoughts, as you might know, eventually affect behaviour. Because your psychology is related to your mental and emotional state, taking greater care of your mental and emotional state, means practising meta-cognition. Meta-cognition means analysing your thoughts (thinking what you are thinking about) before you act on them. Start focusing on how your thoughts affect your thinking patterns, your emotions, and eventually your behaviour.

For example, your thoughts might be “I don’t like myself” … ; “others don’t like me”…; “I feel disappointed in myself therefore I need to isolate myself”; “I don’t want to see my friends or family”. Using the meta-cognition technique might be a challenge at first, but as you get used to analysing your thoughts, it becomes easier and your thoughts of isolation starts to shift. Make an effort and be mindful and present during those times of thought analysis.

Taking care of your social connectedness

Our need for belonging and companionship is what makes us human. We are designed for physical touch, face-to-face conversations and belonging. Oxytocin, a neurotransmitter that is released in response to physical touch, such as hugging, promotes feelings of closeness and trust. Spending time with loved ones, can also trigger the release of oxytocin, enhancing feelings of connection and well-being. 

At THE LAB @NIB we are able to monitor the different component bands when clients shift their focus from isolation to having feelings of trust and closeness to their loved ones. It is a huge mind shift for them. But then the hard work starts. Practising this daily in order to make it part of your psychology and social connectedness. 

The psychological and social aspects of nested systems and causal chains are important and should be attended to. During stressful times in our lives, understanding your nested systems and causal chains will help you to categorise your experiences to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed. It will allow calmness and increased focus.

You can start right now! Simply select the thoughts you would like to examine. In “Discover Your Amazing Brain” you will find the different cognitive distortions that to lead to cognitive disorders. It is simple and practical.