We all experience loneliness to some degree. Whether alone or surrounded by others throughout the day, loneliness is a state of mind. The discomfort of loneliness is felt when there is a gap between one’s desire for social connection and their actual experience of connection. Loneliness can be a painful emotion or feeling, from the following:
- Lacking a deep connection. Missing the ability to confide and trust in others.
- Feeling left out. Surrounded by people too busy with their own lives.
- Longing for someone else’s quiet presence. Just having someone living in the same space at home.
It’s important to address feelings of loneliness. Find ways to feel connected and appreciate the difference between solitude and loneliness. Feeling lonely can be tied to the quality, not the quantity of relationships. To be happy we need intimate bonds, to be able to confide and feel like we belong. Being lonely is not the same thing as being alone. Solitude when desired, can feel peaceful, increase creativity and be restorative.
Recognizing, understanding and dealing with feelings of loneliness is a key to happiness and health that is part of human nature.
A few tips to try to feel more connected are:
- Reconnect with old friends. Give someone a phone call. Reaching out via text or social media may increase feelings of loneliness as people tend to post their “best moments” and can lead to more feelings of being “left out.”
- Don’t self-isolate. Fear of rejection can lead to half-hearted attempts to socialize. It’s okay to feel a little awkward if you are lonely and connecting requires some level of vulnerability.
- Join a group. There are groups for people with similar interests in outdoor activities, board games and other shared interests.
- Appreciate animal companionship. Many people have a deep connection with pets that is uniquely different from a human relationship.