How to Combat Loneliness

From time to time, most people experience loneliness. It can affect our mental and physical health, causing us to feel worse and worse over time. Two-fifths of all older people (about 3.9 million) say that the television is their main form of company, and half a million older people got at least five or six days a week without speaking to anyone at all. If you are experiencing loneliness, there are some things that you can do to combat it in the short-term, and the long-term.

Volunteer

Volunteering can introduce you to a completely new group of people and give you the opportunity to have new experiences. It can bring greater happiness and life satisfaction and can increase your appreciation for what you have in your own life. Spending time with those less fortunate than yourself can help your life gain a new meaning, giving you a purpose and pushing you into building new relationships with others.

Join a Club

Find yourself a hobby – if you already have one, that’s great! Clubs and classes are some of the best ways to meet new people. Do you like reading? Art? Sports? Clubs will be full of people who share the same interests as you, so you’ll know that you already have one thing in common. It can also provide you with a sense of belonging: being part of a group can stimulate creativity and give you something to look forward to during the day.

Adopt a Pet

Pets, especially dogs and cats, bring so much to people’s lives, and rescuing a pet combines the benefits of companionship and altruism. Activities like dog walking opens you up to a whole new community of people, as well as having the unconditional love from your furry friend, too.

Practice Self-Care

When you’re feeling lonely, it can be really hard to see the worth in looking after yourself. By practicing self-care, it will only make you feel better in the long run. Eat well, get your exercise and make sure to get enough sleep – all of this is what is best for you.

See a Therapist

Sometimes just getting out there and meeting people isn’t enough, or isn’t the root of the problem. Talking about your feelings with a trained professional can assist in changing your thoughts and actions, helping you to not only experience less loneliness, but also have more tools to prevent it from coming back. Know that you are not alone in this, and whatever you need to do to feel more like yourself again is the right thing to do.