How to Deal With Loneliness

Loneliness is a common human experience. Psychology Today estimates that more than 40 percent of people battle loneliness at some point in their lives. Loneliness is an emotional response to a feeling of disconnect from the people in your life. You can be surrounded by people and still suffer from loneliness, because you don’t feel connected to any of them in a meaningful way. Since loneliness is caused by a lack of connection, the best way to cope with it is to seek out new connections and make an effort to strengthen existing ones.

Making other people feel good can help you feel better too. Find a local cause that you believe in and learn how to get involved. Putting your energy into a good cause can help connect you with like-minded people and give you a much-needed emotional boost in the process.

Having a lot of friends is not as important as having the right friends. If you don’t feel connected to the people who are in your life right now, try expanding your social circle to make new connections with people with whom you have more in common. Take up a new hobby that you’ve always wanted to try and sign up for a cooking or dance class. Do something that interests you and that provides an opportunity to be around and meet new people who may share those interests.

Don’t be afraid to reach out to trusted friends and family members when you are feeling lonely. Call someone you care about and tell her how you are feeling, or ask her how she's doing. Invite your friend to catch up over dinner or host a game night to have some fun with people you enjoy spending time with. As you strengthen the connections with the people in your life through conversation and interaction, your loneliness should start to subside.

Go outside for a run or take a walk. A study conducted at the American College of Sports Medicine found that just 30 minutes of walking or running reduces negative feelings and improves mood even in people who are severely depressed. Exercise will help you not only feel better, but become healthier, so it’s a win-win.

A pet can help you ease loneliness. Animals, particularly dogs and cats, help combat loneliness by offering meaningful companionship. If you are unable to have your own pet for any reason, volunteer at an animal shelter or local rescue.

Sometimes, loneliness stems from depression or as a symptom of a more serious underlying mental health issue. If your loneliness is chronic and efforts to handle it on your own do not seem to work, talk to a therapist or other mental health professional who can help you.

Kids can sometimes feel socially isolated and experience loneliness too. If you suspect that your child may be suffering from loneliness, you can help by encouraging him to try activities that will boost his confidence. Instead of trying to force your child to be more social, simply increase opportunities for his social interactions to improve naturally by letting him choose a new hobby or sport to try out.