Loneliness is defined as the uneasiness or discomfort experienced due to being alone. It is becoming a severe problem these days, especially after the COVID-19. In a multi-country study conducted by MDPI, that studied the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on loneliness and social isolation, it was found that around 21% of people experienced severe loneliness during this period. This study also revealed that around 13% of people reported severe isolation during the COVID-19.
Another survey conducted on 10,000 adults by Cigna revealed that around 61 % of the surveyed people experienced loneliness. Though almost everyone experiences this feeling at some point in their lives, it’s important to keep a check on it, as it can lead to other serious mental health issues like, depression, anxiety, etc.
Although it is quite common to experience this feeling, there’re a few tips that can help you in overcoming it. Here’re a few important tips that can help you cope with it better:
Go Easy On Yourself
We are often so hard on ourselves in our day-to-day activities. We beat ourselves up even more when things get tough. We blame and guilt-trip ourselves for feeling lonely. All this leads to negative self-talk, which causes even more damage. So, try changing the narrative.
Instead of having negative self-talk with yourself, be your own cheerleader. Show yourself some compassion. Cut yourself some slack and allow yourself to take a break. You can exercise self-care by taking a walk in your nearby park, going for massage therapy at the spa, or even taking a day off doing things you actually enjoy doing.
Take a Break From Your Phone
In this era of smartphones and tablets, it is natural to stay connected via the internet. Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp have made online socializing quite a norm. But all this has led to a decline in offline socializing. When most of our “Hi’s” and “Hello’s” is limited to our phones, it’s important to make time to wave a real “Hi” and “Hello” to someone.
As humans, we are wired for social connections. Hence, it’s important to make time for social interactions. So, make sure you keep your phone away and focus on the person you are with. Feel the warmth of their hand, listen to them intently and look them in the eye when having a conversation.
Interact With Stranger
Talking to a stranger may not be at the top of your priority list right now, but it’s been proven to reduce loneliness. Yes, it’s true. When you feel lonely and feel like you don’t have anyone to reach out to, make it a point to reach out to strangers. It can be a cashier at the grocery shop, a barista at a coffee shop, or anyone you can strike a small conversation with.
So, don’t shy away from waving hello to a stranger. Talk kindly to people around you – be it a waiter at a restaurant or a daily wage laborer in your vicinity. Ask them how they have been doing. You can also share with them what’s on your mind at that point of time. This little act of kindness can go a long way in making their day along with yours.
Practice Positive Thinking
Negative feelings can often engulf you when you are feeling lonely. It causes you to ruminate repeatedly on the situation that led you to feel so lonely. Though it’s good to contemplate, you shouldn’t get caught up in the vicious cycle of your negative thoughts. Instead, you should focus on what needs to be done at this point of time, to get over this feeling.
But how to do that? Practice positive thinking to reinforce new thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. Instead of beating yourself up for not doing enough, divert your energies towards fixing the problem at hand. Focus on the solution rather than the problem. Instead of feeling sad about what you don’t have, focus on what you do have. This will make you feel grateful and alleviate your mood instantly.
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Live in the Present Moment
Being in the present moment is extremely important for coping with this feeling. You might be wondering how it is going to help. Well, being aware of the present moment can help you stay focused on the task you are currently engaged in. It helps you be aware of everything that’s happening in the present moment.
When you have nothing to do in the present moment, you can use this time to pay attention to your feelings and emotions. This can help you be aware of the feelings that’s causing you loneliness and help you develop coping strategies to ward off this emotion.
By being in the present moment, you can be aware of everything you have. By simply shifting your awareness from “What you don’t have” to “What you do have,” you can instantly boost up your mood. So, make sure you practice mindfulness and gratitude each day.
Become a Volunteer
If you are unable to find someone to connect to, or you don’t have your friends and family around, you can try becoming a volunteer. You can choose to volunteer for a particular cause – something that you actually feel strongly for. You can do this either online or offline.
This will ensure you stay engaged in working with other people and feel less isolated. Also, while working on an important cause, you focus on the bigger picture. This will ensure you feel more engaged and less lonely.
Some of the popular volunteering ideas include:
- Visiting senior citizens at a nearby nursing home
- Volunteering to read to small kids at a play-school
- Volunteering for animal welfare
- Volunteering at a children’s hospital
Adopt a Pet
Adopting a pet can go a long way in helping you overcome the feeling of isolation. In fact, according to a study conducted by researchers of Uppsala University in Sweden, it was found that having a pet can significantly reduce the chances of premature death in people who live alone. This study was conducted on people who were experiencing debilitating loneliness due to living alone.
Having a pet has also been proven to reduce depression. It can help improve your cognitive functions and mood. Owning a pet also increases your chances of socializing with people. You can take your dog for a walk in a park and meet new and interesting people there. You can even find your partner while walking your dog , if you are lucky.
Rekindle an Old Friendship
If you feel isolated and lonely, it’s about time you reach out to that old friend of yours – the one you haven’t spoken to for years. It may seem like a tough task at first, but just take a leap of faith and call them. Tell them how it’s been a while and how you have wanted to reach out to them for so long. This will go a long way in strengthening your bond with your near and dear ones.
Reaching out to people you haven’t spoken to in a while will rekindle your old friendships and strengthen your existing relationships. Doing this will help improve your mental health by reducing this lonely feeling to a great extent. So, don’t hesitate to catch up with your old friends when you are feeling down.
Seek Counseling from a Trusted Provider with Docvita
Feelings of isolation can cause a real problem in your life. So, instead of avoiding it, pay close attention to it. Make sure you reach out to your intimate and trusted relationships. But in case your feelings persist despite that, make sure you reach out to a trusted mental health professional.
We at DocVita have various specialists from different fields to help you manage and cope with your feelings better. All you have to do is hop on to DocVita’s book a therapist page and schedule your session.