It is normal to feel lonely at times, especially if you have just lost somebody you love, you lost your job, or perhaps you are alone. However, feeling lonely for a long period of time is a different story. It affects your mental health as well as your overall well-being. Studies have shown that chronically lonely people have high blood pressure and have a higher risk of developing illnesses. Therefore, you have to find ways to fight this emotion.
It has been more than a year since we started fighting the coronavirus, leaving many of us isolated and can only go out when it’s really necessary. You can’t just go to a bar now or a coffee shop to unwind, and this is taking its toll on many people. It’s sad and I’m sure sometimes, you feel like losing your mind.
So how can you beat loneliness and stay sane? Take a look at the following:
Make the Most of Your Alone Time
We all need some alone time. It does us good unlike what other people think. And mind you, being alone doesn’t have to be lonely. By making the most of your alone time, you can certainly fight loneliness.
For some people, being alone is a scary thing. But if you find some activities to do, like reading a book, gardening, writing, or as simple as listening to music, you can divert your attention. Instead of dwelling on the feeling of loneliness, you are actually doing something productive. At the end of the day, you’d feel happy because you accomplished things.
Take Advantage of the Power of Sound
Yes, sound is powerful, and you can utilize it to ease your loneliness. When you feel the sadness creeping in, fill your house with energetic sounds as this can help push back the feeling of loneliness. You can turn your radio on or perhaps listen to audiobooks. You can also simply watch a good movie or your favorite TV show. All these can break the silence, cheering you up and putting you in a better mood.
Communicate With Friends and Family
You probably haven’t seen your friends and family for quite some time because they live far from you. But this should not be a reason for you to stop connecting with them. You can still interact with them using social media or some apps like Skype, WhatsApp, or Viber. Trust me, video chats can help bridge the gap and maintain your closeness.
Get Out of the House When You Can
Getting tired of staring at the four corners of your home? While it is true that we are still struggling with the pandemic and our movements are still limited, you can still get out of the house. Avoid crowded places and enjoy nature instead. This is an excellent way to ease emotional distress.
With this, you can probably go hiking or take a walk at your favorite park. You can also simply enjoy your yard.
Express Your Feelings
Dealing with negative emotions like loneliness and anger is not that easy. And when these feelings go unacknowledged, they tend to intensify. Therefore, you should not hesitate to express your feelings. You can call a friend or one of your family members and tell them how you feel. Once you voiced it, you’d feel much better.
Adopt a Pet
Experts say that caring for a pet like dogs, cats, or fish, comes with powerful health benefits. It can help relieve stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Imagine going home to a cute little dog. It might not be able to talk like humans, but the companionship is priceless This strategy though might not work for everyone since not all of us have the ability to care for a pet.
Find a New Hobby
Aside from building new skills, having a hobby can also help beat loneliness. Instead of you isolating yourself in your room, you can start looking for new things that you can dedicate your time to. Bring out the artist in you and start painting. Or, if you are crafty, create some items that you can even turn into a business.
Exercise on a Regular Basis
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to fight the feeling of loneliness. When you work out and stay active, your body releases endorphins, which improves your mood. You are free to exercise at home, but if you can find some workout buddies, the better.
Although loneliness is a natural human emotion, prolonged sadness is not good at all. But instead of letting it creep in and affect you physically and mentally, ride it out. Now, after doing the things that we mentioned above and it seems like there is no improvement, you can consider talking to a therapist.