Top easy ways to reduce the stress of loneliness

Find Ways To Connect With Others 

This can seem daunting when you already feel low.  A lonely client finally mustered her strength and reached out to her friends, telling them honestly, “I’m feeling lonely. Want to meet me for coffee?” Doing this felt like a difficult thing to do in her lonely state. However, the response Laura received by expressing her truth was so positive, Laura is now reaching out to others who may be lonely.  She has reignited some old connections, deepened relationships with her family, and befriended new people. 

Help Others And Allow Others To Help You

Humans are social beings and have at their core the desire to connect. By helping others in meaningful ways, you are reminded of your values and purpose. Focusing on someone else who needs help makes you feel less alone and more meaningful. Your loneliness can disappear as you connect with and serve others whether sending a greeting card, shopping for a sick neighbor, volunteering at a soup kitchen, calling a lonely widow, or smiling at a stranger.    

Embrace Your Solitude And Rekindle Your Relationship With Yourself

When you make time to understand yourself, what you desire in life, and your values, you are more likely to make better choices about whom you want to be around. While alone, turn on some music, light a scented candle, and think of the qualities you like about yourself and that you appreciate in others.

 Practice Self-Care

Tips from NASA for astronauts to ward off loneliness include a strict schedule for daily grooming, aerobic exercising, making healthy meals to be shared experiences with other crew members, and establishing a sleeping routine that ensures adequate sleep. Many people report that adopting a pet gets them up and moving every day.

Don’t Wallow In Your Loneliness

Set a statute of limitations on feeling like a victim of loneliness. A friend once shared that she was so lonely she was going to watch the saddest movie she could find and cry for two hours. She was surprised when rather than continue to give her the sympathy I had been providing for a few days, I said, “Why not find the funniest movie you can and laugh for two hours?”

Keep Reminders Of Loved One's Close At Hand

Surround yourself with pictures and sentimental items that remind you of loved ones and happy times. Astronauts, soldiers, and others who travel for long distances find that personal keepsakes can ease the pain of loneliness and often bring smiles to their faces and comfort to their hearts.

 Form An Attitude Of Gratitude

Feeling lonely can deplete your energy and make the world around you seem increasingly dismal and empty. Try shifting your view to an attitude of gratitude. It is amazing to consider the discoveries, systems, and inventions made during the past 30 years.  You can now connect with people anywhere in the world instantaneously. Soldiers away from home can FaceTime, play Internet games, and even help their kids with homework. There are same-day home deliveries by stores, pharmacies, and restaurants 24/7. The recent developments in technology make it easy to rekindle relationships and develop new ones. This is worth appreciating.    

  

 

 

 

 

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