Practical Steps To Beat Loneliness

A lot of people have experienced loneliness at some points in their lives. Contrary to what some people might think that loneliness is caused by absolute lack of people, it can also happen when there are people around, but stemming from lack of meaningful connections between them or lack of emotional fulfillment. That is, you can be in the midst of people and still feel lonely if you have not connected with them. Trust me, there is almost no feeling as lonely as being with the wrong people. The bad thing about loneliness is that if it is not fought, it can degenerate into depression and become too bad. Here, we shall take a look as potent ways by which one can beat loneliness.

The first way to beat loneliness is to create meaningful connections. You cannot keep being on your own and avoiding all contacts with people, because this is the fastest route to becoming lonely. It is not about having too many friends around but about forming meaningful connection between them. It is about the quality of friends you have not just the quantity. You can have a few quality friends and bond well with them, and make the most of them than someone who has plenty of people around them that they barely talk with. Learn to reach out to people who care about you and your welfare - your family members, loved ones, supportive colleagues, etc. You can engage in honest conversations with them, and even share your thoughts with them. Trust me, this type of connection can reduce the likelihood of loneliness.

The second way to beat loneliness is by developing new interests and hobbies. While growing up, in the neighbourhood I stayed at that time, there was this woman who lived there. Every morning while I was going to school, I would see her in her garden tendering to the plants. Then while coming back from school, I would see her in front of her house creating beaded wares. After a while, out of curiosity, I went to her and asked her why she was doing all that. She told me that it helps her to keep her mind active. She explained to me that her people were not around, so she was using it to keep herself busy and to prevent loneliness. When you pursue personal interest or new hobbies, it will keep your mind occupied.

Then next way to beat loneliness is to get involved in community activities. You can even join volunteer groups for community programs. This will make you to meet people of like minds and interact about shared interests. It must not be something far-fetched, it can be a church group, a social group, a sport club, or a charity group. These will not just provide social interaction, but they also create a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose. I have come to realise that when you give your time and energy to people, you will receive love, warmth, and connection in return.

The fourth way to beat loneliness is to be physically active. A few years back, something happened that made me feel lonely. I found myself staying on my own and it was beginning to affect me. So I decided to join the local gym around and when I began to exercise, and to be physically active, I discovered that the feeling of loneliness kept reducing until I beat it. What you need to know is that when you engage in physical activities like walking, jogging, yoga, or other forms of exercises, your body releases endorphins which will work to reduce stress and lift your spirit up. This is why it is advisable to stay physically active.

The last point that we will take a look at to beat loneliness is to practice self-compassion. This is about being kind to yourself, avoid talking negatively about yourself. Trust me, your case is neither critical nor terrible, so do not see yourself in negative light. You are doing well and you should constantly remind yourself. Always learn to treat yourself with the respect, care, love and understanding that you would give to a friend. When you understand that you matter too, you will not allow yourself to be weighed down by emotional strain.

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