Feeling lonely is something that a lot of people go through at some point in their lives. It can be caused by a variety of things, such as moving to a new city, losing a loved one, or simply not having many friends.
When loneliness becomes overwhelming, it can be difficult to know what to do about it. Here are 10 things that can help you feel better when you’re feeling lonely!
#1 – Acknowledge That You Feel Lonely
The first step is to simply acknowledging that you are feeling lonely. It’s important to be honest with yourself about how you’re feeling. And feeling lonely doesn’t mean you’re a loser and it doesn’t mean you’re weak. It just means you’re human.
Loneliness is just a feeling and it’s one that you can manage just like any other emotion. So don’t be too hard on yourself if you’re feeling lonely right now. Once you’ve done that, you can start taking steps to address the loneliness.
#2 – Develop a Plan
The next thing you should do if you’re feeling lonely is to develop a plan. This plan can be anything from making a weekly coffee date with a friend to joining a club or group that meets regularly.
The important thing is that you have something to look forward to on a regular basis. This will give you something to focus on and help you break out of your current loneliness funk.
If you are feeling lonely on a Friday night and you have friends or family members you could call, you might decide the best way to tackle the issue is to reach out to someone.
Making plans in advance for social activities can help you to avoid feeling lonely at times when you might otherwise be prone to it.
#3 – Connect With People From Your Past
If you’re feeling lonely, it can be helpful to connect with people from your past. Whether it’s an old friend, a former co-worker, or someone you went to school with, reaching out to people you used to know can help reduce feelings of loneliness.
These connections can provide a sense of nostalgia and remind you of happy times from your past. If you’re feeling lonely, reaching out to old friends can be a great way to feel better.
You may find it’s easy to connect with former classmates, people from your old neighborhood, or previous co-workers because you already have things in common. These types of connections can be helpful in reducing feelings of loneliness.
#4 – Join a Group or Club
Another great way to reduce feelings of loneliness is to join a group or club. Doing something you enjoy with other people can help take your mind off of feeling lonely and make you feel more connected.
There are groups and clubs for just about everything, so there’s sure to be one that interests you. Some examples include:
- A book club
- A cooking class
- An exercise group
- A religious or spiritual group
- A hobby group
Joining a group can also help you meet new people and expand your social circle, which can further reduce feelings of loneliness.
#5 – Read a Book
Sometimes, all you need to do to feel better is lose yourself in a good book. Reading can transport you to different worlds, introduce you to new characters, and make you forget your own troubles for a while.
If you’re feeling lonely, reading can be a great way to escape and find some companionship, even if it’s only temporary. So, curl up with your favorite book and let yourself get lost in its pages.
You might want to read a book you wouldn’t normally reach for sometimes, too. If you usually read romance novels, try a mystery. If you like nonfiction, try a fantasy novel. Stepping out of your comfort zone can help you find new friends in the literary world and make reading even more enjoyable.
Plus, once you’re done reading, you can always discuss the book with others to get their take on it and make some new friends that way, too.
#6 – Find an Online Forum or Group
If you’re feeling lonely, chances are there are others out there who feel the same way. One great way to find companionship is to join an online forum or group that aligns with your interests.
You can discuss books, music, movies, hobbies, politics, whatever you want! And since everyone in the group will be interested in the same things, it’ll be much easier to find friends and build relationships.
So go ahead and search for some online groups that interest you – there’s bound to be at least one or two that are perfect for you.
#7 – Learn Something New
Learning something new is a great way to stave off loneliness. Not only will you be keeping your brain active, but you’ll also have the opportunity to meet new people.
Take a class at your local community center, join a book club, or start learning a new language. You never know who you’ll meet or what new friends you’ll make – and that’s what it’s all about.
#8 – Engage in a Hobby
Hobbies are great for a number of reasons. Not only do they give you something to focus on, but they can also help you meet new people.
If you don’t have any hobbies, make it a priority to find one. Experiment with different activities, from fishing to pottery, until you discover things that you love.
And once you find something that you’re passionate about, stick with it. The more time and effort you put into your hobbies, the more likely you are to meet like-minded people.
#9 – Perform an Act of Kindness
When you’re feeling lonely, it’s easy to become consumed by your own problems. But one of the best ways to snap out of that funk is to perform an act of kindness.
It could be something as simple as buying coffee for the person in line behind you or sending a handwritten letter to a friend. Or you could volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen or animal shelter.
No matter what you do, the important thing is that you’re making a conscious effort to brighten someone else’s day. And in the process, you might just find that your own mood improves as well.
#10 – Get Professional Help
If you’ve been feeling lonely for a prolonged period of time and nothing seems to be helping, it might be time to seek professional help.
There’s no shame in admitting that you need assistance in dealing with your loneliness. In addition, a therapist can help you uncover any underlying causes of your loneliness—for instance, if you are feeling lonely in a relationship or marriage, feeling lonely after a breakup, or if you are feeling lonely and depressed at the same time.
Loneliness can affect the brain as well, leading to higher risks of cognitive decline, dementia, and major psychiatric disorders. So if you’re feeling lonely, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. It could be the best decision you ever make.
Conclusion
We hope that by providing these 10 things to do when you’re feeling lonely, we can help lessen the effects of loneliness for as many people as possible. If you have your own tips or ideas on how to deal with loneliness, please share them in the comments below!
Loneliness doesn’t have to be a life sentence – there are plenty of ways to fight back and reclaim your life. Start today by trying one (or all) of the suggestions in this post. And if you need more support along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. With time and effort, it is possible to break free from loneliness and build a better life for yourself.
