Recently, people have had even more reasons to feel lonely, such as the COVID-19 pandemic<\/a> and the increased use of social media, which can actually make some people feel further away from others than more connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While loneliness is a universal experience, there are many ways to cope with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What works for one person might not work for the next, so it\u2019s important to determine the cause of your loneliness and then choose a coping mechanism best suited to your unique situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COVID-19 took a huge toll on all of us socially, and definitely increased the prevalence of lonely people worldwide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Without the ability to participate in social activities as normal, or even see your coworkers in person, it\u2019s a fast-track to feeling isolated and alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anxiety and depression are some of the most prevalent mental health problems, and they can both cause loneliness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people suffer from social anxiety and fear social gatherings and therefore avoid them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While this might seem to be a good alternative at the moment, even the most introverted or shy people still need social interaction to thrive. You might have a lot of friends and get plenty of social interaction, but that can all quickly change if you uproot yourself and move somewhere new. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be difficult to make new friends for some people, especially as you get older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our good friends and family can be our closest companions. If you lose a loved one, you\u2019re likely to feel lonely on top of going through the grieving process<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Older people who lose their spouse of many decades are especially prone to loneliness since they might not get much social interaction outside of their partner. If you\u2019re feeling blue<\/a> or feeling down about yourself, it can be difficult to put yourself out there, spend time around and meet new people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In reality, you\u2019re probably your own worst critic and end up isolating yourself when in reality you have plenty of positive attributes to bring to the table socially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While social media is designed to keep us connected, it can have the opposite effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might feel lonely if your posts and pictures don\u2019t get as many \u201clikes\u201d as your other friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Or if you start comparing your life to others\u2019 filtered photos and posts about all of the positive things in their life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n People tend to put their best face forward on social media. This, therefore, may lead you to think that your life isn\u2019t as good as others. Chronic social media use has been found to have detrimental effects on mental health<\/a>, causing symptoms of anxiety and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While you might wonder why you feel lonely when you\u2019re around your kids all day, it\u2019s not the same as a quality connection with another adult. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Especially if you were used to regular interaction through work or other outlets, being a stay-at-home parent can be isolating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be difficult to admit when we\u2019re going through something difficult, such as feeling lonely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you think that you\u2019ll come across as \u201cweak\u201d if you admit you\u2019re feeling lonely. Or you try to convince yourself that you don\u2019t need other people\u2019s company. Though our individual preferences for how much time we spend with others varies (hello introverts versus extroverts!), even people who identify as \u201cloners\u201d still need some regular companionship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since we all experience loneliness at times, there\u2019s a good chance someone else in your contact list is feeling the same way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reaching out to someone you know and trust can not only help satisfy your need for human connection, but they may be craving the same connection from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With everything there is to occupy our focus and time, it can be easy to let your mental health and relationships take the back burner to your job, projects, or other obligations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You might be feeling stretched thin by over-committing to things that don\u2019t connect you with others, and it can take its toll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be as simple as making a phone call to a friend or family member on your lunch break or asking your co-workers if they want to go out for drinks after work on a Friday evening. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tapping into your creative side can help alleviate feelings of loneliness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Drawing, crocheting, or making a craft are all ways to focus your attention on something more positive, and it gives a great sense of satisfaction when you\u2019re done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply journaling your feelings is also a great outlet when you\u2019re feeling lonely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take one of your interests or skills and turn it into a chance to connect with others! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use a resource such as MeetUp<\/a> or check your local community centers for their schedule of classes and group meetings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While you might be hesitant to meet new people, having something in common can quickly break the ice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Studies have found<\/a> that people living alone with a pet are less lonely than people living completely alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even though they can\u2019t talk to you, pets provide companionship and a sense of responsibility in caring for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Who doesn\u2019t feel good when they come home to a pet who is eager to see them? Adopting also allows you to get an older pet who is already housetrained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is excellent if you don\u2019t want to start with a young pet who needs training or lacks basic manners. Texting and emailing are primary ways of communicating these days, which definitely has its perks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, texting can contribute to feelings of isolation because it takes away the main aspects of communication, such as body language and tone of voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also really easy to misinterpret someone\u2019s intentions via written communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, this can lead you to mistakenly think someone is annoyed or mad at you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n FaceTime, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams calls can help you stay connected to your loved ones. If you feel like you don\u2019t have anyone to talk to, head out to where people congregate, such as a park or a movie theater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Simply spending time around<\/em> people can help make you feel less isolated, even if you don\u2019t engage with them extensively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Making some small talk or exchanging smiles with a stranger can make you feel less lonely and more connected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be easy to put other things ahead of our own basic needs, such as spending time doing something you enjoy or simply taking the time to get a haircut or a massage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While it might not be a long-term solution to loneliness, keeping up with self-care activities can help fight stress<\/a> and help promote better mental health and wellness<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This puts you in a better place to strengthen your relationships with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Putting others first can make you feel better about yourself. And it can also make you feel more emotionally connected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you don\u2019t see the person benefiting from your act of kindness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pay for the person\u2019s coffee in the car behind you at the drive-through. Or drop off a care package at a neighbor\u2019s house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your act of kindness may help someone else who is feeling lonely, too. Keeping your feelings of loneliness to yourself can make you feel even more isolated and alone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Reaching out to someone you trust, whether it\u2019s a family member, friend, coworker, or healthcare provider, can help ease some of the burdens of those hard feelings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re ever feeling so lonely that you\u2019re having thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out for help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Know that loneliness is experienced by everyone and is a part of being a human being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 in America, or The Samaritans on 116 123 in the United Kingdom; they\u2019re available 24\/7 and eager to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re experiencing chronic loneliness and it negatively impacts your mental health and wellness, then it\u2019s time to seek out help from a healthcare provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can either be a psychologist or your primary care provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Isolation can worsen chronic mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These conditions can be helped by combining talk therapy and many medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Feeling lonely is a normal part of being human, and we all experience feelings of loneliness and isolation at times. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Feeling lonely can also worsen common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways to help you feel better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But if you\u2019re feeling lonely on a chronic basis, it\u2019s a good idea to seek help. This can be from a trusted friend, family member, or healthcare provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\nReasons for feeling lonely<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Decreased social interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mental health problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
People who suffer from depression<\/a> may avoid social gatherings or other things they enjoy because they lose interest, which is one of the many symptoms of depression.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMoving to a new area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The death of a loved one<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeelings of low self-esteem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Too much social media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Young adults tend to use social media heavily, which may take a considerable toll on their mental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBeing a stay-at-home parent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
12 things to do to help with loneliness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1) Acknowledge that you\u2019re lonely<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Acknowledging the fact that you\u2019re craving social interaction is an entirely normal part of being human. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2) Connect with those already in your social circle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3) Make time for social interaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4) Make something<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5) Join a club or group<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6) Get a pet, or better yet, adopt one<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Adopting a pet helps reduce the number of unwanted pets in shelters, who are probably just as lonely as you are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n7) FaceTime or Zoom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n8) Don\u2019t allow yourself to remain in isolation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9) Focus on self-care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10) Perform a random act of kindness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n11) Confide in someone you trust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
12) Know you\u2019re not alone and seek help when you need it<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When to see a doctor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Next Up<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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