It is amazing how we can find little things we need to do or create for ourselves to fill in what might otherwise be a dull day.

Have you noticed that when we wake up with things to do, whether we like the obligations or not, we get out of bed with more resolve than when we have nothing to do.

We like to be busy, constructive, innovative, inventive, communicative.

Note the explosion of cell phones, text messages, picture messages, Twitter, Flickr and Facebook.

If we are removed from people, an isolationism occurs.

I first found out about this in London in the 1960’s with the advent of the then-new idea of high-rise, council-provided apartments.

Higher You Get, the Lower You Get

It was found that people who lived anywhere above the third floor developed an “eagle” attitude.

The higher the floor, the worse the problem.

They held an attitude of detached overview of the life that was happening below them, a complete lack of understanding about  why they felt more withdrawn than usual.

This was particularly true of the older generation.

Those most affected were seniors unable to move around as much as they used to. They were forced to negotiate stairs and elevators often non functional due to vandalism.

In turn, their isolationism created a higher depression rate, a higher suicide rate, a higher violent crime rate and a higher divorce rate.

Recently an elderly, semi-retired electrician came to see me.  He wanted to lose 20 pounds of what he said was excess weight But the gentleman was fit for his years. He explained that his wife had died two years ago after 61 years of marriage. He has grown children who live nearby, and he is actively involved with them.

When Sun Goes Down, He Does, Too

He found plenty to do during the day. But loneliness crept in at night. As a result, he would eat TV dinners, constantly snacking until bedtime. He felt this was cause of his excess weight.

Along with a low sugar diet high in protein, I suggested that every day at about 4 o’clock, he go out and buy ingredients for his dinner, come home  and cook the meal.

He was to ensure that he took his time cooking and to eat at about 8 o clock, leaving plenty of time for digestion before bedtime.

Importantly, by not eating until later than usual, he was not hungry later. Consequently, he did not snack. By going out to buy his ingredients and cooking them, he broke up his regular routines.

Initially, he resisted. This was understandable. Homeostasis, the innate desire for the body and the mind to stay the same, can be a tough nut to crack.

Homeostasis is why people who have bad habits find it so hard to break them. Their bodies and minds are more comfortable with the bad habit than without it.

In addition, protein breaks down to the nutrients that the brain needs in a slower and more even way, thus avoiding the negatives of a high carbohydrate diet.

Carbohydrates break down to sugar quickly, likely leading to wild sugar level fluctuations constantly taking the brain from higher functioning levels to primitive thinking levels.

A sugar level will always drop lower than the point at which it was originally. This creates a further need for another quick sugar “fix,” which only aggravates the condition.

I have suggested this high protein low sugar diet to many people.  I am happy to report the diet has been extremely successful for those who want to lose weight or quit smoking. It is crucial in assisting with the reduction and elimination of panic and anxiety.

The gentleman’s weight problem was one of the few times when a strict dietary regimen was not going to help him lose weight. What was needed was a change in his internal attitude and eating habits. This would help him feel worthwhile, useful, successful, happy, prosperous and most important of all, confident.

Once these changes took hold, he became even more active, began to meet more people, to eat more healthy foods. In a short time the weight dropped away.

His feeling of isolationism disappeared as he was forced to look outward and to interact with more people.

The Internet and all its connectivity is wonderful. But it does not provide humans with one of the most important features of life, and that is to touch and to be touched.

Let me encourage you to find things to do every day. As you go through your day, interact with as many people as you can. A pleasant word here, a compliment there, a smile, perhaps even a hug, will brighten anyone’s day. Most importantly it will help you to feel happier, more successful and confident.

A clinical hypnotherapist, handwriting analyst and certified  master hypnotist, Nicholas Pollak may be contacted at nickpollak@hypnotherapy4you.net