You need to deal with loneliness to have a stable lifestyle, but that may be easier said than done. That’s what this article will be about.
Loneliness is something everybody goes through at some point in their lives. If you’re currently experiencing it right at this moment, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, you will get to know more about your loneliness. How it factors into your daily life. The possible causes of it. And more importantly, how to deal and cope with loneliness.
What It Means To Be Lonely
Loneliness is not a fact-of-the-matter kind of thing. It is not an illness that you need to cure. It is a feeling that we feel due to different circumstances every once in a while. Now, you need to take that as a positive thing, because loneliness is just a feeling. And the thing with feelings are, they disappear.
Loneliness is more of a state of mind rather than an illness. It is something our brains trigger under differing circumstances. There are things that we see and hear that can make us feel lonely. Things are that closely associated with memory or experience, most especially negative ones, can trigger our brains to feel lonely.
If you think very deeply about the feeling of loneliness, it can also be seen as a response sent by our brains. We are evolutionary social animals. Loneliness can be a signal to ourselves of what we need. Like a feeling of thirst after not drinking water for quite some time, or the feeling of pain when you accidentally harm yourself. Loneliness is a response and an urge to get out of a horrible situation.
Loneliness is not a fact-of-the-matter kind of thing. It is not an illness that you need to cure. It is a feeling that we feel due to different circumstances every once in a while.
Loneliness is a drive to get out of a dark place. When you feel lonely, that’s your mind telling you to do something about yourself. Therefore, we shouldn’t linger and get stuck in loneliness. We need to do something about it. When you feel hungry after not eating for days, that’s your body telling you to eat. Our waves of loneliness can be seen in the same light.
Feeling lonely means being in a state of mind that forces you to get out of a dark place, although that can be very difficult. It’s as if your body is fighting with your mind when your mind wants you to stand but your body will not leave the bed. To deal with loneliness a difficult task but it can indeed be done. And once you deal with loneliness, you’ll feel satisfaction in the light like never before.
The Negative Effects Of Loneliness
The effects of loneliness can go from very minimal to extremely alarming, depending on the level of loneliness and the rate in which a person feels lonely. For some, loneliness only leads to minor levels of induced stress. For others, it can shorten their lifespan.
Recent studies have shown that frequent loneliness can lead to other factors that can ultimately damage a person’s well-being. Illness such as obesity, depression, and other unhealthy habits can stem from constant loneliness. People who live alone or are far away from people they care about tend to indulge in harmful habits to compensate for the feelings of loneliness.
People who have had traumatic experiences and that constantly haunt them find it very difficult to function normally. Memories of the past and waves of loneliness constantly distract them. Until they conquer their past troubles, socializing seems to be a harder task than usual for them.
There are also a lot of negative effects on people who practice social isolation. Humans, by nature and evolution, are very social animals. A person who doesn’t expose themselves to social interactions tends to be hit with more mortal harming illnesses. This goes for people who live alone and don’t socialize regularly.
It is important to note that loneliness is not equal to being alone. Although people do feel waves of loneliness due to the absence of wanted company, the two are not mutually exclusive. A lot of people who are alone all the time are very content with their lives. They’re happy with what they have.
Be that as it may, it’s an interesting find to note that although loneliness and being alone aren’t mutually exclusive, the harm that can be done to a person’s body is more or less similar when it comes to both factors. People who choose to be alone and people who feel constantly lonely due to other factors have a higher chance of getting destructive and dangerous illnesses, both physically and mentally.
Why You Feel Loneliness
Loneliness can stem from so many other things, not just a lack of company. Loneliness is a very complex feeling and everybody feels it differently and the causes are unique to each one.
For example, one person will feel lonely because they crave human contact. Others will feel lonely despite being surrounded by many but the person or people they want to be with are not with them. An overseas worker will feel lonely because they miss their family at home despite being surrounded by other overseas workers all the time.
There may be factors in your life that can cause you to feel a singular and different feeling of loneliness every once in a while. It may be a piece of fiction that reminds of you a bad memory, therefore triggering a wave of loneliness. It may be because of hearing a piece of bad news that although may not affect you directly, it can still make you feel sad overall.
Some factors can cause you a long term form of loneliness. It can be any factor in your life you may be unhappy with. Whether it be your career, some relationships, overall stature in life, or unachieved goals, these things can cause you overwhelming loneliness and you may not even know of it.
Whether the reason for your loneliness is obvious or not, you still have to acknowledge the fact that you shouldn’t be stuck in that feeling forever. At some point, you are going to have to deal and cope with loneliness.
How To Deal With Loneliness
Others know what it is that makes them lonely and this is good because they can simply fix that certain factor. For others, not so much. No matter the cause, however, there are things you can do to deal with loneliness. It doesn’t matter if your loneliness is short-lived or long term, knowing how to deal with
If you’re feeling lonely now, it’s good that you’re here reading this article. It means you want to do something about it. It means you’re doing your research on how to deal with loneliness. As someone who has gone through it myself, allow me to extend a helping hand and pull you back in the light
Listed below are 15 ways to deal with loneliness. These can help you be unstuck with loneliness and finally step back in the light again.
1. Acknowledge your loneliness
First of all, you have to acknowledge the fact that you’re feeling this loneliness inside you. You have to acknowledge its existence instead of just brushing it off as something you can’t be bothered with. Based on everything you’ve just read here, loneliness is something you should be bothered with. It can mean life and death when it comes to coping with loneliness.
You also have to realize that feeling lonely is a normal thing. You don’t have to be ashamed of it, nor should you be angry at yourself for feeling lonely. As mentioned earlier, everybody feels lonely every once in a while. The important thing now is you’re doing something to deal with it.
Things will become so much easier for you once you acknowledge your loneliness and see it as a normal happening. It will also be easier to have to deal with it altogether. This is your first step in dealing with loneliness and if you succeed in this part, the rest will be easier to do.
2. Know the source of your loneliness
You can this process so much easier for you if you’re able to handpick the true source of your loneliness. If you know which target to deal with or work on, then much better.
Sit down and think about it. What is it that’s making you lonely? Is it your job? Are you unhappy with it? Do you wish you’re in a better working environment or do you wish to rise at the top of your field? Are you unhappy with your career altogether?
Is it your relationship? Are you in a relationship that can be construed as toxic? Is it a romantic partner or a close friend that’s causing you to be unhappy?
Make sure you take the time to point it out directly. Once you do, you can be able to fix your loneliness by working on the source. If you’re unhappy with your job, then do something about your job. If you’re unhappy with your relationship, then do something about your relationship.
3. Stop isolating yourself and reach out to people you know
One thing you need to know throughout all this is you don’t have to go through this alone. I know loneliness and being alone aren’t the same, but if you want to deal with your loneliness, reaching out to the people you know will most definitely help.
If it’s really necessary, you can reach out to a professional for professional help. But you don’t need to do that if you have reliable friends with you. Talk to them. They will give you pieces of helpful advice, they will encourage you to get out of that situation, and they will be there every step of the way.
This is also a very good opportunity to make your current friendships flourish. If you haven’t been spending enough time with your friends before, it’s something you can do now. Spend time with your close friends more. Invite them over to your place or ask them out. Share a few laughs with them. Do it constantly.
4. Develop a hobby
Developing a hobby may be something you’ll consider as a distraction as of now, but trust me, it will serve your goal to deal with loneliness in the long-run.
Practice hobbies that are beneficial to your mind or body. Dabbling along with the world of music, arts, and sports can serve both well. Music and arts are very good mental exercise and sports will make you physically healthier.
Some studies show the more physically healthy and mentally active you are, the fewer chances you’ll have of feeling constant waves of loneliness. Take advantage of this fact to learn an incredible skill. Not only will you be able to deal with your loneliness but you’ll also have fun in the process.
You’ll also have the chance to meet a lot of people in the field if you develop a new hobby, but we’ll discuss more of that later on.
5. Have a curious mind
As mentioned, having a healthy body and mind will do you wonders when it comes to coping with loneliness. Studying will exercise your mind like lifting weights exercises our bodies. Adopt a more curious nature and you’ll make your mental health so much better.
If there’s anything you’ve been very curious about for the past couple of years but you’ve never had the time or the motivation to dig deep on them, now is the perfect time to do it. You now have a motivation to do so too.
Read every once in a while. Dive into research articles about topics you’re interested in. Read both non-fiction and fiction books. Watch movies or series that tackle real-world scenarios. Watch documentaries.
Studying may seem like a tiring prospect to many, but it’s very fun in the long-run, especially once you start learning interesting things. To get you going, just study about things you’re interested in.
6. Be more kind to others
A few acts of kindness will go a long way for the person you’re kind to. Well, in this case, it will also benefit you as well.
Being kind is one of the best things you can contribute to the world. It’s a very simple notion but it’s a practice not too many people do nowadays. You need to break the mold and be kind to everyone you encounter. No matter who they are, what they do, you have to be kind to others.
Your acts of kindness will serve as a form of healing for yourself. The more kindness you do, the cleaner your conscience will be. This is essential when it comes to coping with loneliness. Doing acts of kindness will also make your mood so much better, which is also important.
Your mood is what your loneliness targets. You’ll be in grim moods because of your loneliness. You can combat that just by being kind to others. In this sense, you’re not just being kind to others but you’re also being good to your mental health.
7. Join communities or clubs
Earlier we talked about developing hobbies and how that can also help in being a part of communities. This is where that comes in.
For example, if you’ve developed a taste for something unique like clay pot molding, you bet you’ll find people out there who share the same interest.
There are many websites and apps online made specifically for this. Go to websites like meetup.com or facebook.com and you’ll find communities, clubs, and groups of people who share the same interest.
You’re exposing yourself to more knowledge and social life by joining clubs and communities. This is very good for you if you’re coping with loneliness.
You’ll interact with other people and just talk to them about your mutual interest, but eventually, you’ll get to know each other better. You’ll find people in these communities you can connect with. Friendships that start as connections due to mutual interest always seem to develop really strong bonds.
The activities you’ll do with the hobby that you developed and the friends you’ll make along the way will combat your loneliness like no other.
8. Be more encouraging of yourself
It’s also important that you are convinced of the things you’re doing. If you aim to deal with loneliness, you need to know that you can do it. You need to convince yourself that you’re capable of doing so. It’s good and reassuring to hear it from the mouths of others, but it’s so much better and it’s more effective if you believe in yourself too.
Self-doubt will only make your feelings of loneliness stronger. If you keep telling yourself you can’t do it, then your motivation will be lacking. You won’t have the drive to succeed.
On the other hand, if you do believe in yourself, you will be able to do it. Since you know you can, you’ll do your best to make sure you’re right.
If you keep telling yourself you can do something, you’ll do everything to achieve that. If you keep telling yourself you can deal with loneliness, then you will be able to deal with loneliness. It’s a mind over matter affair and it works incredibly.
9. Don’t be afraid
If you feel moments of fear on your journey towards happiness, that’s fine. It’s a normal feeling given the circumstance. It is a scary feeling to think about being lonely for the rest of your life, but you shouldn’t let that overcome your life completely.
You shouldn’t deal with loneliness out of fear. You should do it because you want to live a simpler and happier life. Do not linger on the idea of being lonely for the rest of your life. Do not be afraid of the fact.
Don’t be afraid of being alone either. Being alone can be good for you sometimes. It allows you to think for yourself, it allows you to be stronger without needing to hold on to someone else. Being alone can be vital when it comes to survival.
However, you shouldn’t be alone for the rest of your life. You already know that much. Just know that it’s okay to feel waves of loneliness every once in a while and it’s okay to be alone sometimes.
Your goal now is to be happier overall. To deal with the loneliness that’s occupying most of your daily life. Do not see them as something you should be afraid of. See it as something that can happen every once in a while and you need to know that it’s normal. You just need to make sure that it doesn’t occupy your life completely.
10. Exercise and have a proper diet
Earlier we talked about exercising your mind. Well, now it’s time to talk about the physical aspect of exercising.
Keeping a healthy body will not only make you physically strong and lower your chances of contracting damaging diseases, but it will also give you an overall better mindset. You will become a happier person and will constantly be in better moods the healthier you get.
Take the time to exercise every once in a while. Hit the gym or run on the outdoors. Better yet, do this enough to make it a habit. In time, you’ll almost hate the idea of not exercising as it’s already become a staple of your daily life. You’ll notice just how fewer the moments of feeling loneliness will be when that time comes.
11. Find other people who are also dealing with loneliness
Loneliness is not an illness, but it’s an epidemic all the same. So many people in the world experience constant waves of loneliness that it’s alarming to think about. Knowing that there are many people out there who are also fighting their demons just like you.
You can interact with those people because you both can act as each other’s support systems. You can let the other person know how you’re doing and what you’ve been doing to deal with your loneliness and the other person will do the same.
As I’ve mentioned earlier, you don’t have to go through this process alone. It is even better if you handle it with someone who knows what it’s like. Someone you can completely relate to because they’re also going through the same thing as you.
As you both fight your demons together, you’ll develop a very strong bond after you both succeed. So not only will you deal with your loneliness, you’ll build a very good friendship in the process.
12. Learn from your past errors
Don’t let the negative aspects of your past prohibit you from having a more positive future. Instead of drowning yourself in them and allowing it to feed your loneliness, learn from it to make yourself a better person altogether.
Your mistakes are your best teachers in life. Learn from them. Know what you did wrong and tell yourself never to go down that road again.
13. Get a pet
Now, this part isn’t really necessary or is something you have to do, especially if you’re allergic, but if you can and you’re willing, getting a pet will make this process so much easier.
Scientists have constantly proven the power a furry companion can have over your mood. Having pets will make you a happier person and it will defeat whatever loneliness you’re dealing with.
Of course, getting a pet isn’t the only thing you should do when coping with loneliness, and you shouldn’t only see them as crutches, but if you get a pet and you bond them on a deep emotional level, it will do wonders for your mental health.
Get a pet a love them as much as you can. You have no idea the effect these little cute animals can have on your well-being. If you ask me, this is the best way you can deal with loneliness.
14. Set up goals
You need to create mental deadlines for yourself when it comes to dealing with loneliness. Don’t tell yourself this will take years because it doesn’t have to be. If you’re willing and you want to stop loneliness from taking over your life, you will be able to do so sooner than you think.
Set up goals for yourself that you have to fulfill. For example, list down activities you want to get into and make sure you give yourself a reasonable amount of time to be able to do those activities. Set up socializing schedules. Make an effort to develop a closer relationship with the friends you already have.
Once you fulfill all of your goals, your feeling of loneliness will wither and you’ll come out as a happier person.
15. Socialize
Finally, you need to socialize more if you want to completely cope with loneliness. We are social animals and if we restrict ourselves to that, it can harm us mentally and even physically.
Take the time to go out to socialize with others. Go out with your current friends and build new friendships. Go to bars, clubs, parks, or other places you can meet more people. Take the time to grow and improve your social skills so you can interact with other people better.
Your social life can and will save you from the harm loneliness can bring. Make sure you don’t disregard your social life.
Now that all of that is done, make sure you take them all to heart. Use everything you’ve read here to get rid of the loneliness that haunts your daily life. It’s not easy, but it will be worth it.
If you feel like you still need to improve your social skills so you can socialize better and deal with loneliness more properly, consider getting a copy of my eBook right here. Deal with your loneliness, get the friends you want, and your life will turn out so much better in the end.