10 Helpful Strategies To Help You Cope With Feelings Of Loneliness

The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.

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Loneliness can be one of the most painful feelings to experience. Humans have an innate need to be surrounded by other people and form close bonds. Not only does social connection make us feel happier, but it also assists us in maintaining positive physical and mental health. When our need for friendship, love, romanticism, and belonging goes unmet, it can leave us feeling rejected, depressed, and unworthy. Without people to help pull us up from the slump we’re in, we can quickly grow isolated and lonely. Overcoming loneliness isn’t an easy feat, but we’ll discuss some ways you can feel better in the following article.

Coping With Loneliness: 10 Helpful Strategies

Below are 10 methods you can utilize to cope with and alleviate feelings of loneliness.

1. Spend Time With Friends

Making time for your loved ones can help you feel less isolated and remind you that you’re not alone. If you don’t have anyone you feel you can lean on, consider making new friends at work, at the gym, or through online apps. Quality is more important than quantity, so rather than focusing on how many friends you have, concentrate on making sure that the bond you share with them goes beyond the surface level. If you’ve just moved somewhere new and live far from friends and family, try talking to them on the phone regularly so that you can keep up with one another’s lives. Even a quick text or phone call can make a huge difference.

2. Read Bible Verses

If you’re religious or spiritual, reading bible verses about loneliness can help you find comfort amid your lonely feelings. The book of Psalms is known for having a wide variety of verses about challenging emotions, but other books of the Bible can also provide hope and consolation. Consider reading a new verse each day or week and meditating on it when you’re feeling down.

3. Lean Into Your Hobbies

Hobbies can get you out of your head and allow you to put your focus on something that interests you instead. A hobby can be almost anything, as long as it’s enjoyable, productive, and healthy. Some options include playing sports, doing crafts, listening to music, traveling, volunteering, cooking, and more. Participating in hobbies may also lead you to other people who have similar interests as you. 

4. Get Out Of Your House

Staying at home all the time can cause you to feel isolated, whereas getting out and about can guide you toward connection with your community. Simply being around other people, even if they’re strangers, can be enough to help you feel less lonely.

5. Attend Therapy

Sometimes, loneliness could signal a more serious underlying concern, such as depression. In this case, it can be essential to get extra support through a therapist or other mental health professional. They can work with you to uncover the root cause of your feelings and equip you with useful coping strategies.

6. Practice Self-Care

Caring for yourself mentally and physically can give you the strength you need to cope with and overcome loneliness. The poorer your health, the more difficult it can be to remain resilient and positive while experiencing loneliness. Self-care involves eating healthy meals, drinking enough water, exercising regularly, and getting adequate sleep at night. It can also include spending time with loved ones, engaging in your passions, getting outside, and immersing yourself in activities like massages or long baths that improve your emotional well-being.

7. Write In A Journal

Journaling can improve your mental health and give you an outlet for expressing your thoughts and feelings. Writing down how you’re feeling can let you release pent-up emotions and give you the chance to look back on previous entries to see your progress. Seeing how you’ve grown can encourage you to keep pushing forward by reminding you that feelings are only temporary and won’t last forever. 

8. Adopt A Pet

If you’ve ever considered getting a pet but haven’t made the move quite yet, doing so could be a powerful way to reduce your loneliness. Pets can offer comfort when you’re feeling down, help you feel less alone, provide a distraction from your feelings, and give you a sense of purpose because they depend on you to survive. Before getting a pet, it’s crucial to ensure you have the resources, time, and finances for one.

9. Stay Off Social Media

While social media has its benefits, like keeping long-distance loved ones connected and up-to-date with one another’s lives, it can also have drawbacks—particularly if you’re feeling lonely. Being on social media regularly can lead to comparison, causing you to feel behind in life or as if you’re lacking something that others have. Remember that social media is only a highlight reel and doesn’t always represent reality.

10. Use Effective Coping Methods

Using different coping methods like deep breathing, meditation, journaling, and exercise can alleviate the anxiety, depression, or stress you might be feeling on top of your loneliness. Getting into a healthier mindset can allow you to cope more effectively with all of these challenging emotions, enabling you to overcome them.

Conclusion

Dealing with loneliness can be difficult, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone in feeling this way. Recognizing that many other people are experiencing these same feelings can give you the courage to reach out to other people, knowing that they’re likely looking for someone to keep them company too. By looking after your physical and mental health, connecting with a professional when you need more support, and finding activities and hobbies you can press into, you can learn how to build a life of contentment instead of longing.