How to Deal With & Avoid Loneliness

The definition of loneliness: Loneliness is the difference between your actual level of social connection and the level of connection you desire. Ultimately, loneliness and social isolation are different, even though they often influence one another. Feelings of loneliness are subjective and can only truly be defined by the person feeling them. You can actually be lonely and not be alone. For example, you aren’t in an intimate relationship, but you have a lot of Bff’s. By contrast, social isolation means having a lack of close friends or infrequent social interactions. Loneliness often involves feeling: Misunderstood Left out Unheard Unwanted Unseen Unloved Empty Feeling this way can lead to feelings of isolation, which in turn leads to more loneliness, which causes the vicious cycle to continue. Tips to overcome loneliness: (1). Have a deeper connection to yourself (2). Find an environment where deep sharing is celebrated (3). Prioritize social connection (4). Don’t expect or focus on rejection (5). Focus on quality interactions (6). Nurture your emotional intelligence In order to keep loneliness from setting in, you may want to: (1). Stay engaged with your community and your family. (2). Acknowledge and validate your feelings of loneliness. (3). Recognize that you are not alone in feeling lonely. (4). Value the connections you already have. (5). Reflect on your feelings of loneliness. (6). Take some time to relax and slow down a bit. (7). Reconnect with self-love and appreciation. (8). Join a group so you can connect with like-minded people. (9). Accept all parts of yourself. (10). You may want to adopt a pet. (11). Re-evaluate your social media usage. (12). Reconnect with friends and spend quality time together. (13). Limit your alcohol intake. Here’s a look at the two groups and why they’re vulnerable: Senior   Citizens: Spouses, friends, and family members are passing away.   Friends and family members are moving away, or they can’t get out to visit often, if they can visit at all. Family and friends are suffering from illnesses. Young   Adults (ages 18-25): Report having seriously committed   suicide, they take on more work hours, they feel a sense of alienation or   detachment around their peers and friends. These groups constantly experience major changes and losses in their lives. Therefore, it’s no wonder they’re the most vulnerable to experiencing loneliness.