We all experience loneliness at some point in life. And while loneliness can be uncomfortable or even upsetting, it is still a normal emotion that is a 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 ideas:
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 will 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 are at home can also help ease the sting of feeling lonely?
- Try listening to relaxing music while reading a book, cross-stitching, or putting on some upbeat tunes while cleaning the house. Listening to music helps distract you from the negative feelings you may 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 is easy to dwell upon all the things you don’t have in life when you are feeling lonely and frustrated, but chances are you are 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 are feeling. You might feel a lot better after expressing yourself to someone who understands what you are 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 coach or 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 thoughts of hopelessness, feeling anxious or depressed even when you are 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 are 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 a sports team at your local community center.
- Pick something that you enjoy and that you would be willing to do regularly. If you join a class but consistently make excuses not to go, you will be continually adding to the loneliness you are feeling.
Whether you are in a relationship and still feel lonely or you are single and feeling lonely, know that you are not alone. Many people must deal with loneliness at some point in their lives!
You won’t feel like an odd person out or like you are the only single person in the world anymore once you try out some of these healthy ways to cope with your loneliness. Start now and get back to enjoying life!!
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