t the core of loneliness is feelings of isolation. This can lead to depression and anxiety, or general sadness. To help manage these emotions, try talking to a therapist. You can easily connect with a therapist online at BetterHelp.com. An online therapist is ideal when fighting loneliness because you can start a conversation with your therapist at any time of day, not just during your one appointment slot each week. An online therapist serves a dual purpose of giving you someone to talk to, so you feel less alone and also offering more in-depth tips for dealing with feelings of loneliness and the emotions that come with it.
They can also help diagnose if your feelings of loneliness have progressed into a more serious problem like depression, and provide treatment or referrals to deal with that condition. At the very least, talking to a therapist online gives you a person to talk to in moments when you feel alone, and gives you a sense of security in knowing that there is always someone there with an open ear.
It is normal for friends to fall out of touch, but if there are people in your life that you miss, do not be afraid to reach out to old friends. If you are thinking about an old friend, it is likely that they are thinking of you too and will be happy to hear from you. Even if you do not end up making plans to see this friend in person, or if they moved away and that is not an option, having a phone (or even text) conversation with an old friend is a great way to release some feelings of loneliness. A conversation with an old friend is a mood booster, and talking to them will remind you of the relationships that you do have in your life, even if the person is not physically in the same place as you. Plus, talking to an old friend can give you the confidence to go out and try to make new ones.
Fighting loneliness is one of the biggest challenges of moving to a new city. Moves come with a lot of excitement, but loneliness is certainly a concern. If you are dealing with loneliness after relocating, or even if you did not move and have just struggled to form lasting relationships where you live, look into getting involved with a local group.
Think about your hobbies, whether that be reading, cooking, biking, or almost anything else, or interest such as your faith or occupation, and do an online search for groups in your area that specialize in your interests. MeetUp.com, for example, is a great resource for a variety of different meetup groups. Best of all, many of the activities you will find online are free of cost.
Finding a group with a similar interest can take away much of the anxiety associated with meeting new people because you go into meeting them knowing that there is common ground, a shared interest, and conversation starter. Plus, if you are meeting up with people for an activity such as a hike or to cook a meal, you do not have to worry about filling awkward silences as you would on a first date because the activity will somewhat occupy everyone.
Even if you do not make any lasting friendships from attending a meetup, it is a great opportunity to be social and spend some time with other people, and hopefully find an activity that you enjoy.
Embrace Your Solitude
Even people with twenty best friends end up spending some time alone. There is no way to avoid being alone completely, so to combat feelings of loneliness, find something that you truly enjoy to occupy the time. Try some activities that can be done alone, like reading, painting, or yoga. It is important to try a few things until you find something that you genuinely enjoy and that makes you happy.
Once you have found this individual hobby, you may find that you even look forward to spending time alone. Doing something you enjoy during times of solitude, rather than dwelling on the negative emotions associated with loneliness, can change your perspective about loneliness and make you an overall happier person.
Journaling is another great way to spend some of your alone time. Journaling is a wonderful mindfulness tool and can help you view your probl