As part of Loneliness Awareness week, we’ve been thinking about how closely tied loneliness is with mental health and how both can have an impact on one another. With that in mind, we've put together a few things to remember or try in order to address the loneliness you might have been feeling.
Work out why you’re feeling lonely
Being alone isn’t the same as being lonely. Most people who
describe themselves as feeling lonely attribute it either to not seeing or speaking
to anyone very often, or feeling isolated, misunderstood or disregarded by the
people around them. Working out which is the case for you may help you find
some way of improving how you feel.
Be honest and open
Do you have lots of people around you, but don’t feel close
to them, or feel they don’t give you what you need in terms of care or
attention? Try opening up to your family or friends. If that’s not an option,
perhaps find new people you can connect with and try to be more honest and open
with them from the start.
Connecting
The simplest way to lessen those feelings of loneliness, can
be to meet new, or a variety of different people. If you have hobbies, why not
find classes or interest groups you could attend? Perhaps you could volunteer —
offering your free time on behalf of a good cause can be a great way to meet
people and improve your mental health.
Speak to a professional
If you live with depression, anxiety or some other mental
health condition and you believe loneliness could be a part of the problem,
speak to someone who’s qualified to help. Loneliness is a problem in its own
right and if you’re able to speak to someone who can help, it can be addressed
with an action plan.
What are your tips for battling loneliness? What one
thing do you find works for you?
