FEELING LONELY? HERE ARE SOME TIPS YOU COULD USE

We all feel lonely sometimes. It's natural to feel lonely, and you should not blame yourself for these feelings, now or any other time.

Humans are social beings. We all have a need for human connection. Without it, we may end up having a feeling of loneliness that leads to depression, and hopelessness’

Loneliness is a feeling of abandonment. It is a state of mind that is caused by isolation or staying alone and you might feel no one cares for you.

Loneliness really sucks. Loneliness can happen to anyone and anywhere even in social setup, family gatherings, and in the presence of a spouse. 

Loneliness can be caused by several factors such as loss of a loved one, grief, fear of rejection and being stigmatized by others, missing someone, low self-esteem, and lots more. 

If you are feeling lonely, the following tips can help. Different things work for different people, so try to find what works for you, and seek further support if you feel you need it.

Find a hobby 

Spending your time doing more things you like can stop you from focusing on feelings of loneliness. You can go out and play sports like football, rugby, and basketball. 

If you are indoors you can watch and listen to entertaining radio and TV shows.  

Exercise can also lift your moods and help take your mind off things. So try walking, cycling and running every day. 

Stay busy by trying to learn something new 

If you feel lonely, now is a good time to pursue a hobby or something you have always wanted to be able to do and it can be a good way to spend time with others also. You can try playing guitar, cooking a new meal with a friend, go to a driving school where you meet new people, try dancing just to mention a few. 

Share your feelings with others 

Sharing your lonely feelings with someone you trust can help you feel better. Hearing familiar voices such as that of a trusted friend while sharing our lonely feeling can make us feel less isolated. 

When you are sharing your feelings with others, don’t compare yourself to others. Many people on social media only share the good things happening to them so avoid comparing yourself with them.

Be more social and check in regularly with others

Being more sociable is good. Creating a regular routine on checking in with others can help at the time you feel lonely. 

You could text or call a friend or a colleague or a family member you haven’t heard from for a very long time.  We love hearing from people we have lost contact with. It may also encourage them to contact you more, or you could ask if it's okay to have a regular check-in.

Spend time together with friends, family, and colleagues 

Try meeting up with friends, family, colleagues more often. You can meet and have coffee together, you can meet and go watch movies together, play video games together.  This gives you time to bond and improves your mental well-being. 

Find support 

If you are struggling with feelings of loneliness or other mental health issues, remember you're not alone. You can find advice and support on coping with loneliness by talking to professional counsellors.

Take part in social work

You can try volunteering to help others in the community.  This will keep your mind busy and help boost your mental wellbeing 

Remember: No matter how lonely you feel, you’re never alone. There’s always somebody you can talk to If you’re feeling lonely and not sure what to do, seek professional help.