Loneliness
Definition: Loneliness is a complex and usually unpleasant emotional response to isolation.
Symptoms: One of the many benefits of participating in sports is the camaraderie that players have when practicing, competing, and strategizing. As athletes get into superb physical shape together, their purposeful interaction is a great deterrent to loneliness.
Solutions: The three-part article, “How To Avoid Loneliness,” outlined here and found in its entirety at www.wikihow.com, says that loneliness, albeit a natural feeling, is not something most people want to experience. Fortunately, there are many ways to avoid loneliness.
Part 1 – Spending Time by Yourself
1 – Get your emotions in order. Not everyone can tell where their feelings of loneliness originate, but if you are missing a particular person or place, much of your problem-solving will need to be introspective. If you are desirous of more friends or feel isolated, then your solution will more likely be to get out and meet new people. Don’t be embarrassed at the cause(s) of your loneliness. It is a perfectly normal feeling.
2 – Focus on your health. Oftentimes, lack of sleep, exercise, and healthy foods can leave you feeling lethargic and depressed, leading to loneliness over time. Aim to get eight hours of sleep every night, try to fit in at least thirty minutes of physical activity, cut out junk food, and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet.
3 – Bring an old hobby back to life. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by isolation or a massive “to-do” list and not only run out of time in your life for people, but also for your favorite activities. If you’ve got a hobby that you love or are interested in, set aside some time each day to work on it or start it up.
4 – Start a big project. Working on a large project can be a great way to distract yourself from present feelings of loneliness and to help give yourself purpose. What counts as a “big” project will vary from person to person. Whatever your big project is, set daily or weekly goals so that you have something to focus your hard work on.
5 – Spend more time outside. Sunshine helps increase endorphins in your system, making you feel happier and less focused on your loneliness. Plus, exploring new places, getting your blood pumping, and seeing your natural locale will all change your focus and balance your mental state.
Part 2 – Being Around Other People
1 – Make small plans with friends, often. If you go out of your way to plan small “dates” throughout the week with a variety of friends, you’ll fill up your free time with socializing.
2 – Make big plans so that you have events to look forward to. Take time making a list of possible activities you might want to partake in. Then, spend a few days planning out the event to the fullest extent, so that you are fully prepared and stress-free. If possible, include other people in the planning process.
3 – Consider getting a pet. Pets provide company and a good distraction from any negative feelings that may be bogging you down. Keep in mind that getting a pet is a big responsibility.
4 – Avoid staying at home all the time. Just because you go out, doesn’t mean you have to go out with people. You can conquer your loneliness even if you go out alone, doing something you enjoy.
Part 3 – Avoiding Coping Mechanisms
1 – Understand that loneliness and isolation are different. Loneliness is the feeling of missing someone or something, or of being left alone. Isolation is simply the act of being by yourself. While loneliness should be remedied, isolation is a normal and natural part of life.
2 – Don’t become dependent on your family and friends. Take time to examine the source(s) of your loneliness and work to come up with solutions outside of constantly relying on someone to take you out.
3 – Avoid addictive coping behaviors. When you’re feeling sad and really missing someone or something, you need to address your emotions directly. Trying to avoid your feelings of loneliness or working around them with addictive behavior is not only unhealthy, but it will exacerbate your loneliness problem. Take steps to make healthy life decisions when you’re upset, rather than using quick fixes that make things worse down the road.
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