8 Simple Ways to Overcome Loneliness

Sharon Moore November 14, 2013

“Nobody wants to be lonely”, so goes a popular song. That’s why it is normal for us to find a distraction or a quick relief from loneliness – whether it’s watching TV, shopping, pigging on ice cream, or drinking alcohol. Whilst they can be effective in alleviating the discomfort that loneliness brings, these strategies only provide temporary benefits and their consequences are far worse than that of loneliness.

We all experience loneliness once in a while. If this weakening sensation is stopping you from having a good day, here are simple things you can do:

Give yourself a little more love. Maybe the reason why you are feeling lonely is because you have lost connection with your inner self. You only have one body – one life to keep and cherish. You therefore deserve to pamper yourself a little and give your inner child the love and attention it needs. Establishing a deep and loving relationship with yourself is highly necessary if you wish to establish good relationships with others. So take a day off and pamper yourself. Go to the spa and get some rejuvenating massage, read your favourite novel, or just lie down on the couch and think about your future plans. There’s no harm in treating yourself like a princess or a price once in a while.

Write in your journal. Writing is a very, very powerful tool. It can help you beat not just loneliness but all other negative emotions that are letting you down. When you write, you give yourself an opportunity to reflect and find out the real causes of your loneliness, identify patterns in your life that lead to it, and finally, arrive into the best possible solutions or coping strategies.

Bake. Baking can be a meditative experience. It gives you an outlet for your hidden skills and artistry. It’s really amazing to know how you can make a beautiful, appetising work of art from a few eggs, some milk, chocolate, flour, and butter, and serving it to people you love. Well, it’s not just baking. Any craft can have therapeutic benefits as long as it is in line with your passion or interests.

Reach out to others. Volunteering in community services appears to have great benefits to your mental health. Seeing other people smile because of you is really a rewarding experience. Reaching out to others is a “win-win” situation – you lessen the loneliness and difficulties of others whilst they lessen yours.

Play with your pet. Whilst most pet owners are aware of the immediate rewards of having a furry friend, only a few knows that having companion animals does have long-term benefits to their physical and mental health. Having a pet has been linked to lower risk of depression, lower blood pressure and stress level, fewer doctor visits, and a happier, less lonely life!

Go out for a coffee date with a friend. When you’re feeling lonely, the last thing you want to do is to isolate yourself even further. Our close friends can provide us with help and support in times of loneliness. Positive social interactions can greatly help lessen the loneliness you feel. You don’t have to have many friends. A few is fine, as long as they are true and kind.

Take photos. You need not be a professional photographer to reap the benefits of this artistic craft. Taking pictures bring you a deeper awareness of the things around you, especially those you seem to ignore in ordinary days. Walk around your neighbourhood and take photographs of everything you see. Later, as you scan your photos, you will be surprised to find amazing things that have been there around you all this time.

Run. Physical activity is an effective tool against loneliness and other negative emotions. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins – the feel-good chemicals that improve your mood, replenish your energy and boost your well-being. Can’t run? Just walk. It does have the same benefits.

Again, it is normal to feel lonely at times. Life is not all about happiness. Most of the time, it’s about trials, challenges and difficulties too. But if you have been experiencing loneliness for quite a while now, and you have tried these steps and maybe some others but you still could not overcome loneliness, you might need to take the next step – get therapy. Persistent loneliness could be a symptom of depression, a more debilitating mental health problem. The good news is that with the right therapy, you can overcome it.

Have you ever tried any of the tips mentioned in this article in dealing with loneliness? Were they effective? We’d love to hear from you. Share your comment below.