7 Ways to Ease Loneliness
This post was developed via a partnership with BetterHelp.
Have you ever felt lonely, whether you were alone or in a group of people? If this has happened to you and you want to change the way that you feel, you should know that there are a number of ways to ease feelings of loneliness. Keep reading for 7 ways to do so.
Think About What You Want
Perhaps the first step in overcoming loneliness is deciding what you want. If you are feeling lonely because you live by yourself or you are not currently in a relationship, it may be necessary to determine what you want to change about your situation.
You might consider dating someone, or you could think about getting a roommate.
To read more about loneliness and what you can do about it, check out this page. There are numerous helpful ideas you may be able to follow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3utpgoJaAk
Stay in Touch With Friends
Anytime you are feeling lonely, it may be helpful to check in with your closest friends. They might talk to you and catch up, or they could be available to come over and hang out. It is a good idea to keep up with the people that mean the most to you, even if you simply talk every so often and hang out when you both have the time. When you are able to keep up with people that mean a lot to you, this may make them more willing to help you out whenever you require someone to lean on.
You can rely on family members when you aren’t feeling your best as well, since they can cheer you up or spend time with you.
Talk to People
If you are unable to talk to your friends regularly, or you simply want to interact with new people, this is okay as well. A 2014 study indicates that even talking to people that you know but don’t often interact with, such as a co-worker or friend of a friend, can have the effect of helping you feel better. This may also allow you to feel less lonely.
In other words, if you are feeling lonely and don’t have anyone to talk to, you can say hi to someone you see daily that you may not often speak to or send a message to someone you met a few times that is your friend online. Even a little bit of interaction can improve your mood.
Enjoy Being By Yourself
When you are feeling alone, think about all the things you do that are special to you. For instance, if you live alone, you don’t have to share your shower products or the television remote. You get to decide what to watch on streaming sites, and you don’t have to spend time watching content that you aren’t interested in.
While these things seem small, they are enough to celebrate. This is especially the case if you have recently gotten out of a relationship and are getting used to living by yourself. Do something special just for you, like making your favorite dinner or buying those shoes you have been watching online.
If you are feeling lonely because you live by yourself or you are not currently in a relationship, it may be necessary to determine what you want to change about your situation.
Spend Time With a Pet
If you already have a pet, spend some quality time with them. Take a dog for an extra long walk around the neighborhood or find all your cat’s toys and play together. This may have the effect of improving your mood.
Of course, if you don’t have a pet, you might want to give it some serious consideration. Having a pet can be beneficial for your health in a number of different ways, and it provides you with a friend to talk to and hang out with at all times.
Consider Therapy
Anytime your loneliness is having a profound impact on your life, you may want to reach out to a therapist for further support. They should have the ability to guide you through your feelings, help you change your perspective, and offer advice on changing your circumstances, if this is possible. Besides that, a therapist may be able to help you with other issues you might be experiencing, such as stress or anxiety.
Stay Busy
Something else to contemplate when you find yourself feeling lonely is adopting a hobby or filling up your time with activities. Go ahead and pick up an extra shift at work, do something you enjoy, or catch up on episodes of your favorite shows. Take the time to do things that you like, instead of sitting around thinking about your life. This could make you unhappy.
If you find things to do when you notice that your mood is low, this may help you distract yourself enough to change your mood for the better. When you don’t know what you want to spend your time doing, take the time to make a list of goals or activities you’d like to try. Chances are there is a how-to video online for you to view or a class you can take to find out more.
Conclusion
While nearly everyone will feel lonely from time to time, this isn’t something that has to dominate your life. When you find that you are experiencing loneliness, catch up with a friend, spend time with your pet, or enjoy the things that you do by yourself. You can also work with a therapist or find activities to keep you busy. When you utilize many of these tips, you may see a difference in how often you feel lonely.
