From time to time, each of us experiences a crushing feeling of loneliness. Most of us manage to cope with it without any problems, but there are still periods when it lasts unexpectedly long. How to get rid of not the most pleasant of our emotions?
If feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and despair persist for more than two weeks, it may be worth talking to a counseling psychologist or psychotherapist. Well, if your case is not so difficult, here are some tips on how to quickly get rid of the oppressive feeling of loneliness.
1. Do, don’t think
Loneliness seems to envelop us. As a result, we spend too much time feeling sorry for ourselves and doing nothing. And most often they are sure that this will not change. Such thoughts must be abandoned immediately. Find something to do right now.
By acting, not thinking, you will break out of the endless cycle of gloomy thoughts.
Work in the garden. Clean out the garage. Wash your car. Chat with neighbors. Call your friends and go to a cafe or a movie with them. Go for a walk. A change of scenery will help to distract from the oppressive melancholy. It is impossible to suffer if you are busy with something.
2. Be kind to yourself
When we are depressed, self-flagellation will not help. But, unfortunately, we all do this without wanting to. For example, we made a mistake at work that cost a lot, or had a fight with a partner or friend and now we don’t talk to him.
Or maybe we have too many expenses, and there is nowhere to get money from. Instead of discussing with someone everything that worries us, we accumulate it in ourselves. And as a result, we feel incredibly lonely.
When we feel bad, it is important to take care of ourselves. In fact, we often forget about this because of more pressing issues. As a result, we don’t get enough sleep, we don’t eat well, we don’t go in for sports, we overload ourselves. It’s time to «reboot» and restore the lost balance, feel better physically. Go to the park, take a bath, read a book in your favorite cafe.
3. Stay open
Although it is possible to be lonely in a crowd, communication helps to distract at least for a while. The best medicine is to get out of the house and find some company. It’s good if it’s a group of friends, but group classes, hobby groups, traveling and hiking in groups are also a great way out. It’s hard to think about how sad you feel during an interesting conversation.
4. Discover something new
A guaranteed way to deal with sad feelings is to discover and learn new things. When you turn on the “curiosity gene” and do what really intrigues and interests you, there is no room for blues. Try driving to work on a new road.
Plan a small trip for one day, visit the surrounding attractions
For example, small towns, parks, forests, nature reserves, museums, memorable places. On the road, try to learn something new, meet new people, so that there is something to remember.
5. Help others
The surest way to stop feeling sorry for yourself is to help someone else. This does not mean that you should immediately run to the streets to save the homeless. There are other ways. Sort out your wardrobe, collect things you no longer wear, and donate them to a charity.
Give away old but working electronics, dishes, furniture, bedding, toys and other unnecessary things to those in need. It will be useful for them, but even more useful for you. If among the neighbors there are pensioners, bedridden patients or just lonely people who need support, visit them, chat, treat them to something tasty, play board games.
Even you get lonely, imagine how it feels for them? Together, it is easier to overcome loneliness. Remember, you can get rid of negative emotions only with the help of conscious efforts.
About the Author: Suzanne Cain is a psychologist, journalist, and screenwriter based in Los Angeles.