5 Ways to Not Feel So Lonely
Sometimes we discover ourselves feeling lonely, especially during these uncertain times. We can even be in a room surrounded by people we love and still feel lonely. There is a tremendous difference between being alone (simply not being in the presence of others in the moment) and feeling alone (feeling unloved, pushed aside, unimportant, not understood, etc.). Below are some suggestions for you to intentionally work on doing something about that feeling of loneliness!
1) Spend time engaging in activities that you enjoy. Find a zoom class or support group of people who enjoy the same activities you do and consider joining. Many places are also going back to congregating and just staying 6 feet apart.
2) Consider the times you lock eyes with people, even just in passing, smile and give a nod. Our eyes crinkle when we smile and making eye contact connects us whether we know each other or not. When we make an effort this way our bodies know and register that the connection is there.
3) Share with trusted people in your life that you’re feeling lonely and make plans to spend more time together, be it virtually, 6 feet distance in the backyard or at an outdoor park.
4) Spend time connecting with your spirituality. What do you believe? If you’re not sure, it’s empowering to discover. And, if you already know, it might serve you to delve in deeper and connect to your spirituality in a new way.
5) Determine what’s missing from your life that’s causing you to feel lonely and what actions you need to take to attract what’s missing into your life.
Like being alone, a feeling of loneliness can be temporary and even under these crazy circumstances can be rectified. When we are intentional in our lives and get busy taking concrete action, we start to feel a sense of mastery and control and we start to feel better.
If you find that you can’t change this feeling of loneliness by yourself, seeking professional support from a therapist is a great—and very healthy—way to start making changes to relieve your loneliness. Getting support and tips from a professional does not have the stigma it once had and can be connecting in and of itself! Telehealth is readily available during Covid times, so reach out and connect!
Leave a Reply