Everyone experiences various levels of loneliness from time to time and the feeling can be especially noticeable around times like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, and times of extreme stress, especially if you have lost a loved one. A lot of people don’t always like to talk about feelings of loneliness and don’t always know what to do with these feelings, leaving them feeling even more isolated as they try to deal with it on their own.
If you’re experiencing loneliness, there are some things you can try out to help you feel like your normal self again:
Connect with those closest to you
You probably already have people in your life that you may not spend enough time with. Make the effort to call friends more often for a catch up, go out with your colleagues after work, or meet up with your family for a coffee, strengthening bonds and maintaining those relationships. If you have a partner, why not try bringing the spark back into your relationship, planning a romantic dinner at home or trying out BDSM restraints if you want to try something new under the sheets. If you’re struggling to find the motivation to reach out to your loved ones, start with smaller actions and push yourself by creating timeframes and goals.
Join a local club
Check your local library, community centre, local parks and recreation areas to see what’s available near you. Whether you find a local art class, sports team, or book club, joining a class or a club automatically exposes you to a group of people who you have common interests with. Joining a class or club can also provide a sense of belonging that comes with being part of a group, helping you meet likeminded people in your local area so you can make some new friends and enjoy chit chat. Having something in the calenda will also give you something to look forward to during the week, getting you out of the house, even when you may not feel like it.
Give back to the community
Bring yourself greater happiness and life satisfaction by putting your time to good use. As well as decreasing loneliness, the rewards you will receive from working with those who have less than you can help you feel a deeper sense of gratitude for what you have in your own life. Volunteering for a cause you believe in that may be close to your heart is a great way to meet others, joining a group and creating new experiences as you help out those in need.
Enjoy a pamper evening
Tackling loneliness doesn’t always have to mean finding new people to talk to. Make time for yourself, building up towards a nice night in which can leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised. Take care of yourself in other ways by indulging in a bit of self-care is when you are feeling down, eating nutritious food, exercising, running a long bath, and getting a good night’s sleep.
