Living in complete isolation from all human contact can be challenging for most people:
• Humans are social creatures. We have evolved as a social species and thrive on interaction, relationships, and community. Long-term isolation can lead to issues like loneliness, depression, and anxiety in most individuals.
• Isolation deprives a person of social support and shared experiences. Things like collaborating, bonding over life events, sharing advice, and providing empathy are part of human relationships. Lacking this support can be psychologically difficult.
• Isolation means lacking real world social validation and feedback. We look to others to validate our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Without feedback, it is easy to become distorted in thoughts and prone to paranoia or delusions.
• Basic social skills can deteriorate with long-term isolation. Things like making eye contact, active listening, empathy, and communication abilities need regular practice. They can fade in isolation.
• Isolation often means lacking purpose or meaning. Much of human purpose and meaning comes from relationships, interactions, and by contributing to the lives of others in a community. This can be hard to achieve in isolation.
However, some level of solitude is normal and healthy for humans. And short-term isolation is certainly survivable for most people with the right mindset and coping strategies. A few key things that can help include: maintaining a routine, engaging in hobbies and exercise, practicing self-care, staying connected to others remotely via technology, and having a plan to re-integrate with others when possible. But complete isolation from all human contact long-term can be difficult for the average person.