5 Things To Do When You Feel Lonely

Although my writing often focuses on chronic illness, anyone can feel the pain of loneliness. I hope the tips in this article will be helpful for everyone-

* Don’t blame yourself in any way, shape, or form

Trust me, it will only make you feel worse. Blaming yourself for how you feel is never skillful, productive, or kind. A host of causes and conditions have come together in your life to create this painful feeling. It’s not your fault.

* Seek relief from a non-human friend

There are lots of possibilities a pet, comfort food, a favorite book or a nature show on TV, or even just sitting outside for a while. We can find solace in many things that ease the pain of loneliness. Experiment and see what helps you feel better.

* Connect with a human friend if you can

Think of someone who is always supportive or who simply makes you laugh, and give that person a call or send them an email. You may resist doing this at first because it can be hard to reach out to others when you’re feeling lonely. In my experience, however, it’s worth giving myself the little extra push that’s needed to contact someone I can count on.

* Do something creative, no matter how simple

It need not be earth-shatteringly creative. Try a coloring book or a jigsaw puzzle, make a collage, or experiment with needlework of some kind. Or think outside the box and come up with something that is fun and soothing for you to do.

* Help someone in need

Helping others eases loneliness because it makes us be less self-focused. It could be an elderly neighbor or someone on a social media site who might benefit from a supportive comment.