You’ve probably heard of the saying, “No man is an island”. This saying holds true! Because humans as a matter of fact, need each other to stay alive! Especially with the uncertainty of the current pandemic, we have come to value relationships more so than we did before.
Speaking of relationships, have you ever experienced a prolonged period of loneliness? Loneliness is not always experienced in a state of solitude but can also surface when in a crowd. This may seem a bit puzzling and make you wonder, “Can a person really feel alone even when they have people around them?” Yes! Loneliness is possible even in social settings because it is dependent on how truly connected you feel in your personal interactions.
If you feel that your friends/family don’t know the real you, this can be very alienating! You may crave to be acknowledged and even celebrated for your unique personality. This is not a sign of being conceited but is a normal part of being human. The need to belong is in the very fabric of our DNA! In fact, research reveals the serious effects of prolonged loneliness on health: social disconnection is more damaging than smoking, alcoholism, obesity and pollution; it even reduces people’s life-spans by 5 years or so.
Upon hearing such facts, we are faced with a choice, to either succumb to the fate of the statistics or to take charge of the circumstances. If you would like to do the latter, here are few creative ways you can bounce back up when you feel stuck in your loneliness:
Change your perspective and take the lead!
In order to combat loneliness, it is necessary to look at your circumstances as wonderful opportunities for change. If you resolute to failure, you will never consider trying to make things work! So, gather up courage and empower yourself in the face of adversity; you will be surprised to find a resilience that you never thought you had. Don’t wait around for people to be there for you, be the one who reaches out for others before they even ask you for company. Be interested in others, you may never know who needed your support!
Embrace the rejection and keep trying
Many of us may avoid taking the risk of pursuing friendships because of the fear of being rejected. If people don’t reciprocate the interest, don’t take it personally because it has nothing to do with you. In fact, embrace the rejection, you just dodged a bullet! Pat yourself on the back for trying and keep going. If you find it tough to keep the conversation going, being curious helps. Ask thought-provoking questions which make the conversation more meaningful. This a great step which will certainly reward you in the end.
Consume less, create more
Make sure to create a balance of consuming and creating activities in your life routine. Consuming activities don’t stimulate the mind, whether you are scrolling on social media, ordering take out, binging a TV show etc. Whereas, creating activities such as writing, exercising, reading or developing a new skill etc. help you channel your energy into something meaningful, increases your concentration and even challenges your mind. Cultivating this balance will also help you appreciate your own company!
Hope these tips were useful for those who feel there is no way out of the struggle. If you would like to receive further support, don’t hesitate to reach out to our therapists. or even consider joining our Combating loneliness support group for adults and kids! Group therapy is a powerful tool that can empower you to face the challenges that come your way head on, no matter how big or small they seem; You can face it and come out stronger!
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