Everyone experiences loneliness at some point in life. And while loneliness can be uncomfortable or even painful, it’s still a normal emotion that’s part of our human experience.
Being alone doesn’t always mean feeling isolated. For instance, most of us enjoy spending time alone with our thoughts from time to time.
But if you catch yourself feeling lonely for an extended period without the ability to do anything about it, this can be a significant blow to your mental and physical health.
So how can you be alone and still feel connected? Consider these tips:
1. Learn new skills. Learning a new skill can help boost your confidence and give you a sense of purpose – both important feelings for managing loneliness. And as your confidence increases, you’ll feel more connected to the world.
● Get involved in activities that bring out your creative side, like painting or dancing, or exercising your mind, like playing chess or learning a new language.
2. Surround yourself with sound. Many people find that music can be comforting in social situations, but did you know that having headphones plugged in while you’re at home can also help ease the sting of feeling lonely?
● Try listening to relaxing music while reading a book, crocheting, or putting on some upbeat tunes while cleaning the house. Listening to music helps distract you from the negative feelings you might have about being alone. It can also relax you and uplift your mood.
● This activity can help you feel less anxious and stressed about being alone – two things that can easily lead to feelings of loneliness!
3. Focus on your relationships. It’s easy to dwell on all the things you don’t have in life when you’re feeling lonely and frustrated, but chances are you’re surrounded by people in your social circle who care about you and who you care about in return.
● Call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and tell them how you’re feeling. You might feel a lot better after venting to someone who understands what you’re going through.
4. Take a step back to understand the causes of your loneliness. Loneliness can sometimes be a symptom of other emotional issues like depression or traumatic life experiences.
● Consider talking to a therapist to explore the underlying causes of your loneliness and take steps to deal with those issues head-on to reduce your loneliness.
● A few signs you want to look for include having suicidal thoughts, feeling anxious or depressed even when you’re not alone, and having difficulty concentrating and thinking of anything other than your loneliness.
● Your therapist can help you figure out how to get through this tough time in your life.
5. Explore a healthy pastime. Hobbies and activities are a great way to distract yourself from the negative emotions that make you feel lonely. Doing so often can lead to healthier and happier relationships with others in your life!
● For instance, if you’re lonely due to a recent breakup, consider picking up a new hobby that involves getting out of the house and interacting with others in your community, like joining a fitness class or an intramural sports team at your local community center.
● Pick something that you enjoy and that you’d be willing to do regularly. If you join a class but consistently make excuses not to go, you’ll be continually adding to the loneliness you’re feeling.
Whether you’re in a relationship and still feel lonely or you’re single and feeling lonely, know that you’re not alone. Lots of people have to deal with loneliness at some point in their lives!
You won’t feel like an odd man out or like you’re the only single person in the world anymore once you try out some healthy ways to cope with your loneliness. Start now and get back to enjoying life!
