Loneliness: 6 Ways Overcome It

Loneliness

Loneliness is one of the main causes of depression among human beings. It is reported that 61 % of Americans have felt the aching pangs of loneliness, now that’s a huge number when you are talking about a country like the United States. But truth be told it really does not matter from which part of the world you belong, in fact, two in every five people (41%) of the world population have become lonelier in the last 6 – 8 months. Thanks to China! It’s time that we declare loneliness an epidemic.

Let us try and understand what loneliness means in layman's terms “Loneliness is a state of mind linked to wanting human contact but feeling alone”.  Now don’t get me wrong but people can be alone and not feel lonely, or they can have contact with people and still experience feelings of isolation. Researchers suggest that loneliness is associated with social isolation, poor social skills & introversion. Emotional pain is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the damage that loneliness can cause. It also has a significant impact on our physical health. Loneliness raises our physical and psychological stress levels while suppressing the function of our immune systems. This increases our risk of developing a variety of illnesses and diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Surprisingly, the long-term risk that chronic loneliness poses to our health and longevity is so severe that it increases the risk of dying prematurely by 26%.

There are numerous routes to loneliness. Some people experience loneliness gradually. A friend moves away, another has a child, a third works a seventy-hour work week, and our social circle, on which we had relied for years, vanishes before our eyes. Others experience loneliness more abruptly, such as when they leave for college or the military, lose a partner due to death or divorce, start a new job, or relocate to a new town or country. Loneliness has become a lifelong companion for some due to chronic illness, disability, or other limiting conditions.

Unfortunately, overcoming loneliness is far more difficult than we realize, as the psychological wounds it causes to create a trap from which it is difficult to escape. Loneliness distorts our perceptions, leading us to believe that those around us care far less than they actually do, and it causes us to have a negative attitude toward our existing relationships, viewing them as less meaningful and important than we would if we were not lonely.

Breaking free from loneliness and healing our psychological wounds is possible, but it requires a decision — a decision to ignore your gut instinct and play it safe by isolating yourself. Let’s look at some of the ways we can get rid of loneliness:-

1)   Connect As Much As You Can!

Connecting With People

Living alone isn't always easy, whether by choice or by circumstance. Connecting with the people you care about is one of the simplest things you can do: whether it's calling friends, texting family members, or dusting off your notepad to write heartfelt letters, staying in touch will help to keep you connected — even when you're alone.

2)  Find Things To Look Forward To

Find Things To Look Forward To

Schedule social activities as far in advance as possible. While it may be difficult given the current uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, try to plan some things to look forward to; simple things you can enjoy with friends again.

3)  Take Up A New Hobby

Hobby

Falling in love with an old hobby – or picking up a new one – is an excellent way to divert your attention away from feelings of loneliness. Put on your gardening gloves and spend some time soaking in nature if you have one. According to a recent study, gardening can boost our confidence, self-esteem, and appreciation for our bodies. Other hobbies to consider if you don't have a garden include crossword puzzles, online yoga, baking, drawing, knitting, and reading.

4     4)  Try Not To Compare Yourself  To Others

It's easy to compare ourselves to others, especially when they appear to be having more fun or spending more time with more people than us, especially online and on social media. Remember that we don't know how others truly feel when their phones are turned off, and they could be just as lonely as we are.

5)      5)   Ask For Help

Ask For Help

 Whatever you're going through, remember that it's okay to ask for help. It should not be necessary for you to go through it alone. If you need to talk to someone, consider joining a peer support group, where people share their experiences to help one another. Often, simply talking about your feelings with others can help.

Talking therapies allow you to explore and understand your feelings of loneliness, as well as develop positive coping strategies. For example, therapy can provide a safe space for you to talk about the emotional issues that are making it difficult for you to form satisfying relationships.

6)      6) Generosity Should Be Practiced.

Generosity

Generosity is a natural antidote to self-hatred. Believe without a shadow of a doubt that you have something to offer! Volunteering is a great way to think outside the box and often provides opportunities to meet new people. Even small acts of generosity can have a big impact. Generosity, as a principle, can lead to increased self-esteem, which in turn leads to increased social behavior.

Lastly remember this quote “The most tragic fact about loneliness is that, unlike sickness & diseases, there is really no cure for this experience of feeling rejection, of being an outcast”  

This is just the 1st part of the two-part loneliness series, in the next blog, we will see how to make loneliness your biggest strength & your driving force to move forward in life!