Loneliness is not something to be ashamed of or embarrassed about; it’s the most common feeling that people go through in life at some point in time. Loneliness doesn’t mean you are different from others; it means that you are expected and have gone through something that many other people have gone through at one point or another. It can cause anxiety, depression, and despair and affect your physical and mental health. To get over loneliness, certain strategies and actions can help you get rid of loneliness and let you feel much better about yourself in the process!
Promote Sense of Purpose
A sense of purpose is one of those benefits that almost everyone finds valuable. Purposeless living means feeling listless and bored, with no motivation to get up in the morning and do anything. While it’s true that when you feel lonely, you lack external social contact, it’s also true that your feelings of loneliness stem from a sense of purposelessness in your life. Humans have a deep desire to matter and contribute; we are wired to be part of a community where we are valued and appreciated. Without realizing it, you may have been leading an empty existence without external friendships or other meaningful relationships; without purpose, everything else feels pointless.
Make Transportation Available
Making transportation available is one of many ways to help your loved one avoid loneliness. For example, if they’re in need of a ride to their doctor appointments, you can make sure they have someone available to pick them up. Providing transportation allows older adults more time and freedom to participate in more social activities than they otherwise would. When your loved one knows they have someone available who can help with transportation, it can reduce feelings of loneliness.
Get Them a Pet
Getting a pet is an excellent way to help your loved one with social anxiety or depression get out of their comfort zone. You both feel better knowing that there’s someone in your life that needs you, but it’s also been shown to help reduce feelings of loneliness and improve overall happiness. Just make sure you choose a pet that your loved one can take care of; for example, if they suffer from anxiety or depression (as well as loneliness), a dog is not a good choice. While dogs are often wonderful companions and can bring joy into our lives, they require a lot of attention, and even small dogs need walks twice a day. On top of that, big dogs have exercise requirements and training expectations.
Encourage Dining with Others
If you don’t live in an area where public transportation is easy to use, your loved one may go days without seeing anyone except their immediate family. Even if you live in a town with excellent public transportation, dining alone may not be possible if your loved one has poor vision and mobility issues. Encourage dining out as much as possible; it’s healthy and fun to socialize with people of all ages.
Encourage Exercise
Exercise is a fantastic way to get your mind and body out of isolation. Exercise allows you to interact with people, think about something other than your pain, and reduce overall stress. Make sure that any physical activity you do doesn’t increase any pre-existing pain, though. For example, if you’re recovering from hip surgery or back surgery, don’t throw yourself into a daily marathon routine. It may hurt more than it helps in these cases. Stick to lighter activity for now.
