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- New-situation loneliness. You’ve moved to a new city where you don’t know anyone, or you’ve started a new job, or you’ve started at a school full of unfamiliar faces.
- I’m-different loneliness. You’re in a place that’s not unfamiliar, but you feel different from other people in an important way that makes you feel isolated.
- No-sweetheart loneliness. Even if you have lots of family and friends, you feel lonely because you don’t have the intimate attachment of a romantic partner.
- No-animal loneliness. Many people have a deep need to connect with animals. If this describes you, you’re sustained by these relationships in a way that human relationships don’t replace.
- Overview
- Join a Class or Club
- Volunteer
- Find Support Online
- Strengthen Existing Relationships
- Adopt a Pet
- Talk to Strangers
- Practice Self-Care
- Keep Busy
- See a Therapist
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Free Loneliness Test
Do you think you may be struggling with loneliness? Take our loneliness quiz and find out.
If you’re experiencing loneliness, there are some things you can do about it. Below are nine strategies for dealing with loneliness.
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Whether it’s an art class, exercise class, or book club, joining a class or a club automatically exposes you to a group of people who share at least one of your interests. Check your local library or community college as well as city parks and recreation departments to see what's available.
Joining a class or club can also provide a sense of belonging that comes with being part of a group. This can stimulate creativity, give you something to look forward to during the day, and help stave off loneliness.
Volunteering for a cause you believe in can provide the same benefits as taking a class or joining a club: meeting others, being part of a group, and creating new experiences. It also brings the benefits of altruism and can help you find more meaning in your life.
In addition to decreasing loneliness, this can bring greater happiness and life satisfaction. Additionally, working with those who have less than you can help you feel a deeper sense of gratitude for what you have in your own life.
Because loneliness is a somewhat widespread issue, there are many people online who are looking for people to connect with. Find people with similar interests by joining Facebook or Meetup groups focused on your passions. Check to see if any apps you use, like fitness or workout apps, have a social element or discussion board to join.
You do have to be careful of who you meet over the internet (and, obviously, don’t give out any personal information like your bank account number), but you can find real support, connection, and lasting friendships from people you meet online.
A word of caution: Social media can actually increase feelings of loneliness and cause FOMO, or "fear of missing out" so be sure to check in with yourself if you're starting to feel this way.
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You probably already have people in your life that you could get to know better or connections with family that could be deepened. If so, why not call friends more often, go out with them more, and find other ways to enjoy your existing relationships and strengthen bonds?
If you're struggling to find the motivation to reach out to your loved ones, it might be helpful to start slowly. Come up with just one supportive friend or family member who you could imagine reaching out to. It's also reassuring to know that strong social support is beneficial for your mental health.
Pets, especially dogs and cats, offer so many benefits, and preventing loneliness is one of them. Rescuing a pet combines the benefits of altruism and companionship, and fights loneliness in several ways.
It can connect you with other people—walking a dog opens you up to a community of other dog-walkers, and a cute dog on a leash tends to be a people magnet. Additionally, pets provide unconditional love, which can be a great salve for loneliness.
An easy way to find connections in everyday life is by interacting in small ways with acquaintances or strangers you encounter. In fact, research shows that doing so contributes to our social and emotional well-being. So next time you grab a cup of coffee or see your neighbor on a walk, strike up a conversation. You might just find you feel happier afterward.
Do you have a smartphone that you frequently check while out and about? Think about putting it away a bit more. Whether you're looking up directions or checking the news while waiting in line, research suggests that technology can get in the way of social opportunities.
When you're feeling lonely, be sure you're doing what you can to take care of yourself in other ways. Self-care is always a good idea, but especially when you are feeling down. Eating nutritious food, exercising, and getting enough sleep will only make you feel better in the long run. Bonus: Take a workout class or join a running club for exercise and social interaction.
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Distract yourself from those feelings of loneliness and make a date with yourself. Do you have a hobby you've always wanted to take up or a home improvement project that's been lingering on your to-do list? Take some time to invest in yourself and your interests and keep your mind occupied in the process.
Research suggests that loneliness and symptoms of depression can perpetuate each other, meaning the more lonely you are, the more depressed you feel, and vice versa.
Sometimes just “getting out there” and meeting other people isn’t enough. It's possible to still feel lonely when you’re around them, which could actually be a sign of depression or social anxiety. If this is the case for you, it may be a good idea to seek psychotherapy to help with feelings of loneliness, especially if you also feel other symptoms of depression.
Loneliness can affect your physical and emotional health, but there are ways to turn things around. Learn how to join a class or club, volunteer, find support online, strengthen existing relationships, and more.
- Elizabeth Scott, Phd
Lonely People. " Lonely People " is a song written by the husband-and-wife team of Dan Peek and Catherine Peek and recorded by America . Background. "Lonely People" was the second single release from America's 1974 album Holiday.
- Loneliness is an aversive experience. People describe loneliness as being like a “nasty disease,” and a state they would rather avoid. Even worse, people don’t want to discuss their loneliness with others out of fear of seeming negative.
- Loneliness has emotional features. As the authors noted, “the emotions that came alongside loneliness were a key aspect of the experience” (p. 11). This theme, referred to above, included the host of unpleasant feelings that people report but also included guilt and jealousy.
- Loneliness has cognitive and perceptual features. People who are lonely engage in self-blame and feel inferior to others. Lonely people also perceive time as passing too quickly, too slowly, or to stop altogether.
- Loneliness is affected by personality and identity. Lonely people can come to define themselves as isolated and weak, and at the same time, link their loneliness to something about their personalities (e.g.
Jun 21, 2013 · Lonely People - America. Positive Music [HD] 83.5K subscribers. Subscribed. 21K. 2.6M views 10 years ago. Title: Lonely People Track: 09 Artist: America ...more. Title: Lonely People Track: 09 ...
Dec 5, 2023 · Loneliness is a state of mind that makes people feel empty, alone, and unwanted, despite wanting social connections. Learn about the factors that contribute to loneliness, the health risks it poses, and how to cope with it.
