Sometimes we find ourselves feeling lonely or down. There are many factors that cause feelings of loneliness to occur and it can feel difficult to cope with this feeling. Common causes of loneliness look like:
- Being isolated from others (such as due to distance or inability to see others frequently)
- Not feeling you have someone to talk to
- Lack of connection or engagement within your community
- Limited family support
- Trouble connecting and/or opening up to others
- Going through something challenging that others you know cannot relate to
Humans are social creatures and because of this, we strive and thrive with connection and relationships. We can all feel lonely from time to time if we have limited social connections or do not have others to talk to. The good news is that there are a number of ways that have been shown to decrease feelings of loneliness and improve mood. Some helpful things to try could look like:
- Getting connected to local support (joining a club, organization, church, gym/yoga studio, etc.)
- Reaching out more to supportive family and friends (phone, email, writing letters, etc.)
- Making new connections and relationships
- Getting out of the house and interacting with others
- Volunteering your time to local organizations or shelters in need
- Inviting friends or family to spend time together (meet up for coffee, a walk in the park, to see a movie, to come over for dinner, etc.)
- Getting connected to like-minded people online through blogs, forums, or videos
- Talking to a licensed therapist or counselor
While you may feel lonely, we want you to know that you are not alone. If you are needing someone to talk to and feel connecting with a counselor or speaking to a therapist could be helpful for you, we are here. Please reach out today for a free consultation to discuss how we can support you during this time.
