It's important to remember that what works for one person might not work for another when you're trying to deal with feelings like loneliness, anxiety or sadness. We're all very different people and it's important to only try things that you're comfortable with.
It's also important to remember that if you try some of these tips and still feel lonely, you haven't failed! Sometimes things will work at a certain time, and sometimes they won't. You can always come back to these tips whenever you need and try again!
1. Try talking to someone you know
Talking about feeling lonely is never easy. But there's probably a few people in your life that know that you could talk too!
Opening up to the people around you isn't a bad thing and takes a lot of courage. It can really help you feel like you have some deeper connections with people and feel like there's always someone around if you're lonely.
If you're struggling to find the motivation to reach out to your friends, your family can be a good source of support too.
Coming up with just one supportive friend or family member who you could imagine reaching out to can be really reassuring and good for your mental health.
Peer support
If there isn't anyone that springs to mind in your life that you could be open with, there is support out there in the form of peer support.
- Befriender services
A lot of charities offer support where volunteers are put in touch with people who feel lonely. These services are called befriender services, and you can find them pretty each through a google search.
- Online communities
Online communities can be a great place to find people who can listen to your experiences and also where you can hear from people with similar ones to yours. Most of these communities are free, and available 24/7. Mind's only online mental health information is a good place to find suggestions of the types of communities out there.
Charities like Mind's Infoline or Local Mind can also help you find extra support in your area.
2. Keep busy
Experiencing the world around you can help you feel less lonely.
Starting something new like a new DIY project, picking back up that old hobby or even just getting out there to see something new are great ways to keep busy and keep those lonely feelings at bay.
A hobby can provide a welcome distraction, improve your concentration, and even connect you with new people. So take time to invest in yourself and your interests and keep your mind occupied in the process.
3. Try to separate real life from social media
With social media, it's so easy to see other people and compare ourselves to them.
We often get the impression from other people's social media that they're happier than us, have more friends than us, have better hobbies, earn more and so much more. But remember that social media is a curated view into someone's life and it only usually shows us the good bits.
Try to think more actively when you're on social media, when you're scrolling think about:
- How are you feeling in that moment?
- Are there certain people you follow that make you judge your own life?
- Are you making judgement about other people's lives?
If social media isn't making you feel great, think about unfollowing or muting certain accounts. You could also find a social media break empowering and that it helps with your feelings of loneliness.
4. Volunteer
Volunteering can really help you to meet other people, be part of a group, feel good about yourself and create some new experiences and memories.
All of these things can help you feel less lonely and also bring you some satisfaction for getting involved in a community.
5. Be good to yourself
We tend to fling the word "self care" around all the time now. But if you're feeling lonely, looking after yourself can really help.
It's always a good idea to make sure you're eating well, getting exercise and getting enough sleep. Making sure you look after yourself will make you feel better in the long run.
If you're feeling lonely, try getting out for a walk, doing an exercise class or get out to meet someone if possible.