Whatever it is that makes you feel lonely, here are some tips and advice to help you cope
Loneliness is going around, and it’s having a significant impact on a lot of people worldwide. The coronavirus pandemic has limited contact with family and friends and restricted social and leisure activities. Many people staying at home suffer from the tension and stress created by the pandemic and feel lonely and frustrated despite being in a full house.
If, on the one hand, it is normal and healthy to spend some time alone to relax and recharge, on the other be deprived of social contact is not good for anybody. You can enjoy your solitude, but if you feel isolated in a negative way and crave contact with others, it is a red sign.
Prolonged loneliness is not a specific mental health condition, but it still can affect your mental and general health. It can drain you emotionally, decrease your energy and appetite, and make you feel foggy or unable to focus, and hopeless or worthless. It also causes physical symptoms, such as body aches and pains, sleep problems, and weakened immune response. Research on social isolation and loneliness conducted by the University of Leeds (England) linked these states to a higher risk of cardiovascular issues and worsened mental health. Another study by the University of Zurich (Switzerland) connected loneliness to increased risk for chronic illness, high cholesterol, diabetes, and depression.
If the feelings of loneliness are wearing you down, here are ten tips and advice to help you cope with them.
Keep in touch
No matter how much you desire or you miss them, it is not always possible to spend time with friends and family. However, you can still find ways to keep in touch and maintain your closeness – even when you can’t see them in person. Abuse technology and use all available tools: chatting on the phone, video-calling, texting on social media, creating virtual meetings, watching movies or playing games online… Your interactions might seem a little different, but they remind you that you’re not alone. Also, you’re connecting with your loved ones, and that’s all that matters.
Get outside
The coronavirus pandemic has restricted our movement around the city, but that does not mean that we have to stay locked up inside. You can still sunbathe in the backyard, walk the dogs safely through the neighborhood, go to the grocery store on foot. A change of environment can divert you and help overcast the ache of loneliness. It can also help you see other people, reminding you that you aren’t alone in the world. Besides, time in nature can help ease emotional distress and boost your overall wellness.
Stay busy
Loneliness can occupy your thoughts to the point where it feels challenging to think about anything else. So, fill your time doing things you like. This way, you can stop focusing on feelings of loneliness. Besides, now is the best time to start a hobby or something you have always wanted to do. There are many online courses where you can explore a new interest, an essential part of self-discovery. Your favorite hobbies can fill the time until you’re with your loved ones again.
A pet for a companion
Having a pet is a joy. It doesn’t matter if you have a cat, dog, hamster, rabbit, iguana, or parrot. They are great companions too! A study by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in partnership with the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute suggests that having a pet can improve mental and physical wellness. Several studies also prove that pets help to manage depression, anxiety, and stress. However, not everyone has the means or ability to care for an animal companion, so think carefully about this before making that important decision.
Take a break from social media
Social media seems an excellent way to stay connected with your loved ones. But sometimes, it can also be a trap and increase your feelings of loneliness. You can bump into a picture or a post of a loved one and get the impression they don’t miss you as much as you miss them. When you’re feeling lonely, seeing others spending time with friends, family members, or romantic partners may wound. And, let’s admit, when you’re down, everyone’s life looks better than yours. So the best thing to do is take a break from these media and try to connect with a quick phone call or text instead.
Do something you love
Don’t leave space in your heart for loneliness: fill it all with love. Take the time to do something you love: it can be yoga, video games, cooking, dancing, singing, drawing, knitting, gardening… you name it! Doing things you enjoy can create a sense of normalcy, grounding you and helping you find some inner calm amid turbulent times. Also, hobbies and relaxing activities serve as self-care, which plays an integral part in overall wellbeing.
Seeing things from a different angle
Casting a different light on what it means to be alone can make it easier to handle loneliness. Time alone can create opportunities for self-discovery, creative thought, and self-reflection – which can boost emotional awareness and make authentic expression easier in all of your relationships, including the one you have with yourself.
The sound of music
When loneliness starts to give you an overwhelming feeling of emptiness, fill that void with music! The music helps fill the space in your environment and thoughts, making it less crushing. It also helps lower stress and anxiety levels and even decreases fatigue. A study by the Brandeis University (US) indicated that the body releases less cortisol, a stress hormone, when people listen to music. You can also resource to audiobooks, podcasts, and even opening a window to listen to nature sounds. This way, you can pleasantly break the silence, attaining distraction and a temporary escape.
Keep in mind: this too shall pass!
Sometimes things get too hard to bear. And that’s ok. You don’t have to be a superhuman to deal with all of this. There’s a lot beyond our control at the moment that is difficult to accept. At these times, it is essential to remember that however overwhelming it feels, loneliness won’t last forever. Acknowledging that fact can sometimes bring some relief. Remember: in time, COVID-19 vaccines will become widely available, and schools and jobs will reopen. You’ll reconnect with your friends and meet new people again. Loneliness that doesn’t have anything to do with the pandemic will pass, too.
Support
If you’re feeling low and hopeless because of loneliness, you might need extra support to get through this moment of crisis. You may be feeling lonely, but you’re not alone: you can always reach for help. Many organizations offer advice and support on coping with loneliness, including local and national forums and phone support services.
