Tips To Help You Cure Loneliness

A Treatment for Loneliness. Can a physician write a prescription for friendship?

Have you ever felt all alone in the world? We all do sometimes and it isn't easy. When you're going through a difficult time and feel there's no one to turn to for support, it's hard to know what to do. But those who are feeling isolated or alone should know there are always people who care about their wellbeing.

Learning how to address your feeling of loneliness can also be a step in helping you address other mental health issues that you may be facing. The United States is facing a big problem with isolation, loneliness, and related challenges. One study found that out of young people in the United States, 25% don’t have any friends they confide in. This is a problem that needs to be addressed to help the mental health of the country.

You Have the Power to Cure Your Loneliness

There are programs that can help you to be more assertive and teach you social skills. But you have the power to work to build connection and there are many things that you can use to help you:

* Practice makes perfect – Try one thing. Try smiling and saying hi to everyone you see, everywhere you go. It takes less than a second of your time, and although many people may be too absorbed in their phones or their thoughts to say hi back, for some people, your smile will be the only one they get all day. Think of how it would make you feel, then pay it forward.

* Step out of your comfort zone – Make it a point to say something to someone new every day. If you admire the work someone does in one of your classes, let them know. If you have been interested in knowing more about a hobby you see someone is engaged in, ask a question. Laugh at a joke, pay someone a compliment, small acts of kindness can build lasting impressions.

* Reach out to others – Look for others who are sitting alone, when you lift your head and look around, you may be surprised by how many other people seem to share your feelings. Consider sitting with them and starting a conversation.

* Look for things in common – When we are experiencing negative feelings we often only see the differences between us and others, try pausing and looking for similarities. Maybe someone has is wearing a t-shirt with characters from a show you like or someone is listening to one of your favorite bands. Use the things you have in common to try to build a connection.

* Join or start a group or club – Find a club, a sport, a musical group, leadership group, a church or community group, or any groups you may be interested in that meets regularly If one does not exist consider starting one and creating opportunities for others to join. It is a great way to expand your talents, but offers you plenty of opportunities for in-person socialization, too. Having a sense of belonging does much to combat loneliness.

* Find a part-time job – Jobs are a great opportunity for lots of face to face time with peers and people of all ages. You’ll have a chance to earn a wage while you’re building connections, it’s a win-win for both your loneliness and your savings account

* Volunteer – Nothing is more rewarding than volunteering. You can volunteer for a cause you already love, or find a need in your area and fill it. Either way, you get plenty of face to face time and the satisfaction of being a part of bettering your community.
Whether your loneliness is perceived, or you are truly isolated, you don’t have to be alone at all. It may take some work, stretching out of your comfort zone, but you can find ways to have friends and meaningful, face to face interactions with your peers and other people. Loneliness can be something you give into or it can be something that you fight with connection. You have everything you need inside of you. Your social life is waiting for you.