Dealing With Loneliness

Whether it’s a festive period, love seasons, holidays, or losing a loved one, certain lonely moments can creep up on you making you feel isolated and left out. Everyone gets this feeling of loneliness at one point in their life. So, if this sounds like what you’re going through at the moment, we’ve got a bit of help to get you through this dark phase of your life.

In this article we will look at 6 ways to deal with Loneliness

Avoid Staying Alone

Yes, I know this is a tough one because it’s exactly what you’re trying to fight. It may seem difficult, but nothing gets done except through the act of actually doing it.

Admittedly, this won’t come naturally, you will have to force yourself to get out there.

Visit places where lots of people are. Places that have nothing in common with loneliness. For example, go to the cinema (even if you don’t have someone to go with, the cinema is always full of people), visit the zoo, walk around the park, if you’ve friends, fix a hang-out time with them. Of course, it’s the last thing you will want to do, but it’s the ideal thing to do at this moment. The best way to deal with loneliness is to avoid being lonely at all costs.

Exercise often

As little as a 30-minute walk can do wonders to your mood, so can a few minutes of yoga. When you exercise, certain mood-boosting chemicals such as endorphins are released. In general, physical activities like running, jogging, or walking can greatly improve depressed mood, and enhance mental health.

Volunteer to help others

This is not just another incredible opportunity to step outside but one that creates a path to offer help to other people as well. Sometimes, the best way to heal yourself is to help someone heal.

Find a community in your area that may need help through volunteering and join them. The act of rendering assistance, bringing joy to other people’s faces can bring joy to you in return. Besides, you get to meet people, socialize, make friends, laugh, all of which are remedies to loneliness.

Have A Pet

If you didn’t know this, pets are also a great remedy for loneliness, as well as incredible companies that can boost your mood almost in an instant. Science has shown that people who own pets are less likely to suffer from depression and loneliness. Pets, especially cats or dogs are great companions, , which help calm the nerve and reduce anxiety. If you don’t have one already, now is the time to get one.

Stay Away From Social Media For A While

While social media can help reduce stress and offer entertainment, it’s often led to what is referred to as FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out. Scrolling through Instagram and seeing other people’s seemingly fun and ecstatic lifestyles may make you feel oppressed and left out which can greatly result or add to loneliness. Hence, you can do yourself a favor by choosing to steer clear of social media for a while.

Accept that Loneliness Is Temporary.

Life itself is ephemeral and so is everything in it. Though sorrow may last through the night, joy always comes in the morning. In other words, accept that this is a temporary phase that isn’t going to last. How you feel now isn’t how you will continue to feel for the rest of your life. So, have this in mind as you practice other tips mentioned above to dealing with loneliness.

Finally, if after practicing the above tips and nothing changes about how you feel, now might be a good time to see a therapist. Often more than not, what you need is someone to talk to, someone who cares enough to listen. If the last person you can think of in this case is a therapist, by all means, visit one to avoid going into depression which is only a terrible step forward to manifesting suicidal thoughts.