Whilst Loneliness Awareness Week has highlighted the importance of building a greater awareness of the feeling, it’s important to continue to talk more openly about loneliness throughout the year and to look out for those that may be struggling, even if they’re reluctant to ask for help.
According to gov.scot approximately 45% of adults in Scotland often or sometimes feel lonely.
Loneliness isn’t about the number of friends we have, how much time we spend on our own, or something which happens when we reach a certain age. It’s the feeling we experience when there is a mismatch between the meaningful social connections we want and those we have.
Loneliness might be a temporary feeling, or it can linger, staying with you for a long time. If feeling lonely becomes a constant state of being, it affects health and well-being.
Knowing how to feel less lonely can help you, or a loved one, to feel less isolated and happier. There are things you can do to help combat loneliness.
Connect with people
When you feel lonely and a bit low, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut thinking about how bad you feel, which only makes it worse. Picking up the phone and catching up with friends or family, or visiting them where possible, can help you to feel less alone.
It’s worth mentioning that even if right now you don’t have people close to you who can talk to you, it’s important to have ways to express yourself. Keeping a journal and writing down your thoughts and feelings will help you to move past them, clear your head and be able to look at things more objectively.
Connect online
The internet has proved to help towards reducing feelings of loneliness and isolation for many people. Being able to connect with family and friends via social media or email is one thing, but you can also engage with others on forums. Forums are a great way to interact with people who may be in a similar situation to you or to connect with like-minded people who share your passions. It doesn’t matter what your passion is: music, gaming, writing, singing – you might be surprised about what opportunities they lead to. However, it’s important to know when to disconnect too; limit your time spent online, especially on social media.
Connect with nature
Getting out and about, even for as little as ten minutes a day, can significantly improve feelings of well-being. Going out into nature every day improves both mental and physical health.
Try going for a walk in your local park or exploring your neighbourhood. Getting a pet, like a dog, can provide company but also can help encourage you to do this more regularly.
If going out beyond your home is difficult for you, spending some time in the garden can help too. Even tending to an indoor herb garden can help you feel closer to nature.
Keep busy
Keeping yourself busy is a great way to avoid feeling lonely.
Think about what hobbies you might want to take up or continue. You don’t have to be good at something to give it a go and enjoy it. A regular hobby with other people can help you build new friendships and have fun. It can feel nerve-wracking to turn up to a new place, especially if the people already know each other, but you’re likely to find people who are very willing to help you settle in.
Perhaps you could volunteer with a local organisation? Volunteering can be an amazing way to combat loneliness. It can help you to connect with others and make you feel like you’re part of a community.
Reach out if you’re struggling
Talk to someone you trust. A family member, a close friend or even a neighbour. You can also speak to a health professional about how you’re feeling. They can listen, tell you about local services, counsellors, and support groups, or they may suggest specific treatment for the way you’re feeling.
If you’re worried that someone you know may be feeling lonely and isolated, you can help by:
Being there. Simply being there for them can let them know someone cares. Don’t be afraid to ask them how they’re feeling or if there’s anything you can do to help. Having someone willing to listen could be a great comfort.
Being patient. When someone’s lonely, particularly if it’s associated with poor mental or physical health, they may get irritable or feel misunderstood by others. You may need to offer gentle assurance.
Being Encouraging and supportive. Reassure them that it’s possible to feel better with the right help. They may need some support to make new social connections or to access services designed to tackle loneliness.