Rajeshwari Luther

11/10/2025

🚩🚩 Why Do So Many Married People Still Feel Lonely? 🚩🚩

According to research, loneliness can have an impact on the relational and sexual well-being of couples. 😔😔

Research indicates that being in an intimate relationship can reduce feelings of loneliness by satisfying a desire to belong. This sense of belonging can serve as a buffer against loneliness, allowing for closeness-initiating behaviours. You can have an intimate partner but still feel lonely. Approximately one in every six older married men and women reports moderate or severe feelings of loneliness.

Isolation vs. loneliness

First and foremost, loneliness does not require social isolation. People can feel lonely even in intimate relationships, as depicted in songs and poems throughout history. Thus, a conceptual distinction between loneliness and social isolation is necessary. Second, loneliness is a subjective experience of emotional isolation, not objective isolation. Therefore, loneliness is caused by the quality of relationships rather than the number or status of social relationships. For example, if we don't feel heard or understood, we may feel emotionally disconnected from our partner.

Loneliness and health

Loneliness is linked to poorer mental health, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. It can also impact one's physical health. Loneliness is also linked to poor relationships and sexual outcomes for couples. That's right, you can be in an intimate relationship but still feel incredibly lonely. As a result, it is in the best interests of both researchers and helping professionals to maintain this complexity in their research and clinical practice.

What new studies say

Research shows that loneliness in intimate relationships can make it hard to think positively about one's partner. Furthermore, it was discovered that loneliness was negatively associated with both men's and women's relational well-being. Moreover, men's self-reported loneliness was negatively related to their spouses' sexual well-being, whereas women's self-reported loneliness was not.

Research continues to challenge our understanding of what constitutes loneliness, who experiences it, and why. Studies show that married people feel lonely, which can affect their relationship and sexual satisfaction.

What can be done to help?

Feeling and expressing gratitude for a partner's positive qualities, as well as viewing them as confidants, can help mitigate the effects of loneliness.

If you are lonely in your intimate relationship and are concerned that it is affecting your or your partner's sexual well-being, skilled interventions from a trained couples therapist are beneficial.

Click www.hopetrustindia.com to schedule an online appointment with a couples therapist.

11/10/2025

A common misconception in our culture is that only people with a diagnosed mental "disorder" should seek therapy. This is similar to saying that only people with heart disease can use a gym. Going to therapy can help us improve our emotional and mental health in the same way that exercising improves our physical health.

In India's beautiful, busy, and chaotic world, a healthy mind is a necessity rather than a luxury. Everyone deserves to be truly 'swastha' in body, mind, and spirit.

https://t.ly/YCw_7

Explore the significance of World Mental Health Day and discover practical steps to improve your mental health. Learn how Hope Trust supports mental well-being and how you can become a healthier, happier you.

09/10/2025

How to Find Your Life's Purpose 🎯🎯

Your purpose drives you to find meaning and connection, fuelling action and ambition. The search for purpose is universal but personal. It motivates us and makes us feel connected.

Purpose is not a goal—a set of pursuits shaped by your changing identity. Action and reflection create purpose. Your purpose changes with you, letting you set your path and redefine your journey.

The question is, how do we find it?

https://t.ly/ALjak

Discover how therapy with Hope Trust can help you find your true life’s purpose. Our expert therapists provide guidance in self-discovery, personal growth, and achieving clarity in your life's direction. Start your journey towards meaning today.

08/10/2025

Parenting is more than feeding and housing. Every action you take builds your child's inner foundation.

Children observe life closely. They absorb actions and presence. Emotionally intelligent parents notice emotions and focus on being present.

Children raised in nurturing, loving environments blossom into self-assured, well-adjusted individuals.

They develop into whole, resilient people, grounded by their upbringing.

https://t.ly/irM4g

Discover the key behaviors emotionally intelligent parents avoid in front of their kids. Learn how emotional awareness and positive parenting create a healthy family dynamic. Read more on Hope Trust.

04/10/2025

After decades of silence, India's long-overdue conversation about mental health is finally igniting. Yet, more than 70% of those who desperately need help remain without care, and professional therapists are staggeringly few for a nation of 1.4 billion.

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a bold, controversial force poised to fill this urgent gap.

AI holds the power to transform mental health care in ways once thought impossible. Imagine chatbots offering instant comfort at any hour, or algorithms quietly detecting signs of depression in a person's voice or social media posts. These tools promise support that is not only scalable and affordable but also accessible worldwide.

Yet, at this pivotal crossroads, we must grapple with urgent questions: Is AI for mental health diagnosis and treatment a breakthrough in care—or a risky experiment with people's wellbeing?

Let's explore the possibilities, the challenges, and the path forward.

https://t.ly/Ju7Cq

HopeTrust explores the rise of AI in mental health. Can a digital psychologist truly understand thoughts, emotions, and behavior? Discover the future of therapy.

24/09/2025

As we grow and evolve, it’s inevitable that we’ll have to let go of some of our old relationships. It’s a bittersweet part of life, but it’s all part of the journey.

The invisible cost of growth and healing runs deep—discover what it takes and learn how to nurture yourself. Begin your journey today.

22/09/2025

One of the most profound, and often unspoken, changes that occurs in a committed relationship is the growing physical closeness of the partners. Many couples experience a dramatic shift in their sexual dynamic as a result of the natural changes brought about by menopause and andropause.

This raises a very human question: how can a connection not only survive but flourish when the physical attraction that sparked it fades?

https://t.ly/KzH4i

Explore how physical intimacy benefits couples by enhancing emotional connection, boosting health, and strengthening love in later years.

17/09/2025

Control is not love: How to Tell the Difference Between Caring and Controlling

In the early stages of a relationship, control rarely appears toxic. It often looks like someone checking in, asking where you are, who you're with, or what you're wearing. Such activity may feel like attention or concern, but caring and controlling are entirely different. Here’s how to spot the difference before love becomes suffocating.

1. Jealousy is not a sign of love

We have been conditioned to believe that jealousy is a romantic emotion. People often assume that jealousy is a sign of caring. But true love does not come with paranoia and suspicion. If your partner is always asking where you are, gets mad when you talk to others, or tries to control who you see, that's insecurity, not love. A healthy partner does not have to compete for your attention. They trust you, and they do not penalise you for living your life.

2. Relationship "Rules" Should Not Feel Like Cages

Agreements like exclusivity, respecting time, and boundaries are common. But when these turn into rules you didn’t agree to—such as needing permission to go out, being told what to wear, or being forced to share passwords—that’s no longer about respect. It’s surveillance disguised as love. Rules that limit freedom protect egos, not relationships.

3. Guilt is a tool and not a sign of affection

Controlling partners often use guilt to manipulate others into doing what they want. Phrases like “I guess I’m not a priority” or “If you loved me, you wouldn’t go out” are designed to make you feel unworthy for doing reasonable things. If you always feel forced to choose between your happiness and their approval, you’re not in a relationship—you’re in an emotional trap.

4. Real boundaries come from you, not them

A healthy boundary is something you set for yourself, such as saying, "I need some alone time after work," or "Please don't go through my phone." Controlling people take that concept and turn it against you. They'll respond with, "My boundary is you not going out without me," or "My boundary is you not talking to your ex." That is not a boundary. That is control. Nobody else gets to tell you how to live life under the guise of "respect."

5. Caring feels supportive, not restrictive

What is the easiest way to distinguish between real care and restrictive behaviour? Real care lifts you up. It boosts your confidence. You still feel like yourself, and you don't have to change to make the other person comfortable. You may not be receiving the care you need if you feel anxious, watched, or constantly cautious. You are being controlled.

Love should never cost you your freedom, peace, or identity. If someone who claims to love you tries to control, isolate, or guilt you, that's not love—it's control. You do not owe anyone your silence or submission to keep a relationship.

Click www.hopetrustindia.com for an online appointment with a relationship counsellor.

15/09/2025

Anxiety can manifest in various ways—like tossing and turning at night, having a whirlwind of thoughts, or feeling a general sense of discomfort. The never-ending pressures from work, home, and everyday life really amplify the situation.

Given that many stressors are simply part of life, what are your go-to strategies for managing them?

Learn simple, effective strategies for managing anxiety and stress daily. Begin your journey to calm—take control of your well-being now!

11/09/2025

Our lives in India are chaotic due to our goals, families, and frequent changes. When things are bad, it's easy to write them off as "a bad phase" or "stress". People tell us to be strong, think positive thoughts, and take a walk.

What if it's not that? What if the cloud doesn't go away?

If this sounds like you, know that you're not alone and that these things don't mean you're weak. They indicate that you may need assistance.

You might only need to click to get help now. Let's talk about depression and whether or not online therapy can help treat it.

https://t.ly/HzTRh

Explore how online therapy is transforming depression treatment in today’s digital age. Discover expert insights and compassionate care from Hope Trust.

05/09/2025

Detachment is not about building barriers around your emotions. The aim is to break free from the connections that pull you into the emotional chaos of others. You'll totally notice how much lighter you feel after just one week of using it!

The goal isn't to stop being invested but to invest in a more meaningful way. Embracing a sense of detachment empowers you to uplift others while maintaining your resilience, transforming empathy into genuine strength.

Discover how to practice healthy emotional detachment without becoming cold or distant. Learn to support others while protecting your own mental and emotional well-being. Hope Trust shares expert insights on boundaries, compassion, and self-care.

03/09/2025

Forgiveness: A Gift We Give Ourselves

We often think of forgiveness as something we grant to others. Someone wrongs us, and in time, if we are generous enough, we let them off the hook. But the truth is, forgiveness is never just for the other person; it is just as much, if not more, for ourselves.

Carrying resentment is like holding fire in our hands, hoping it burns the one who hurt us. But it doesn’t. It burns us, slowly and quietly, until we realise that our weight belongs more to us than to them. To forgive doesn’t mean to erase what happened or to excuse it. It means choosing not to let it control us anymore.

In forgiving, we create room for peace, growth, and joy. We stop replaying the old scene and allow new ones to unfold. In this sense, forgiveness is an act of freedom. We unshackle ourselves from the past so that life can move again.

And perhaps the most profound truth is this: forgiveness isn’t about pretending we weren’t hurt. It’s about deciding that our future deserves more than being built on pain.

Have you ever realised that holding onto anger hurts you more than the one who wronged you?

Click www.hopetrustindia.com for an online appointment with a therapist!



Image: 'The Return of the Prodigal Son', 1669 by Rembrandt