There are moments in life when you feel lost and isolated. You feel set apart from other people as if nobody understands you , loves you or nobody with whom you could share your feelings with. Our experts have shared insights on how to overcome loneliness and more insights around it.
Loneliness can reach at any age, profession, economic status at any point of time in your life causing crippling effects to our existing lifestyle and relationships. It is one of the most common phenomena that has happened to almost everyone across their life.
According to a Loneliness Survey conducted by Cigna, more than half of American adults (58%) are considered lonely. More than two in five adults (42%) aged 18 to 34 report “always” feeling “left out.
The survey also states that Less than half of lonely employees say they are able to work efficiently (47%) and perform to the best of their abilities (48%).
Firstly, it is important to accept that loneliness does exist but it is not necessary to be the problem of your life.
1. Being Friends with Yourself
It is important that you enjoy yourself as a person before looking out for company from someone else. Similarly, treating yourself right is important. Taking time for hobbies will help reconnect with yourself and understand your own happiness at a larger level. Hobbies also provide time for introspection which is much needed for loving your own self. Self-care is therapeutic and helps every person in his/her own way.
2. Setting an appropriate self-response
Most of the times, loneliness tends to bring out negative responses within our body. For instance, people might resort to alcohol, drugs, childish behaviour, or a suicidal thought. One needs to understand that these need not to be your only response. Learning your own response is the first step taken towards a positive response. Knowing that these are negative thoughts, can help you change their direction to another course. Positive actions such as workout, reading, pursuing hobbies or work might reward you later in your life and will make you feel much happier. (How you feel after it)
3. Give Help
The cure for loneliness is involving yourself with others. Change comes through your own thoughts and acts of concern and love towards others. Put aside your shyness or fears of rejection and extend your hands in help. You can do this by helping one person or volunteering for a community service. Helping others or being kind contributes to our own happiness and in cutting any form of loneliness.
4. Appreciation and Gratitude
Complimenting people makes people feel good to a level that makes you start feeling better about yourself. Moreover, appreciating the kindness of people around moves the focus from you towards them. This paves a way for a deeper connection with others around you. Being grateful to what you have in your life counteracts the distorted thinking of loneliness. Both these emotions promote a feel- good factor that can cut depression or negative thoughts.
5. Write it Down
Writing is a great way to let out your emotions and understand the ‘why’s of your life by introspection. You can start by giving 10 minutes before your sleep into a journal or diary. Write anything that comes to your mind- good, bad, what made you feel better, what possibly could make your day better. Some of the ways you can work towards cutting your loneliness could be started this way:
Today, I….
I felt lonely today because….
I feel better when….
Many researches point out that symptoms of loneliness and depression can carry each other, that is, the more lonely you are, the more depressed you feel and vice versa. This is why it is important to seek help when you feel any of the above emotion is becoming overwhelming and affecting your personal life. Also, sometimes just going out and talking to random people might not help. It is possible to still feel lonely when you are around people. This could also be a sign of depression or social anxiety. If this is a case for you, you might want to seek therapy.
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