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Seven ways to overcome loneliness
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Recognize the impact of loneliness
According to the Campaign to End Loneliness, loneliness can be as damaging as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It is also associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood pressure, as well as dementia
Having healthy social networks can decrease the risk of mortality and of developing diseases, as well as helping people recover when they are ill.
Recognizing the impact loneliness could have on you is the first step to tackling it.
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Work out exactly why you are lonely
- someone either not having enough basic social contact or,
- despite being surrounded by people, not feeling understood, listened to or cared for.
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Speak to someone
- Talk to friends and family.
- Join a club or socialize through hobbies or interests. It is a good way to meet new people and increase social interactions.
- Do voluntary work. It forges connections as well as makes you feel worthwhile.
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Get online
Spending time online obviously cannot replace all your real-life interactions, but it can help.
However, the research found a link between loneliness and time spent online, so it is important to supplement online chats with actual meetups, too.
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Increase meaningful social contact
Some research suggests that who you spend your time with matters, too.
One study in 2011 found that elderly people who spent time with family were less lonely than those attending social groups with strangers.
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Change your thinking
Attending CBT might be a good start, the study authors suggest, so perhaps consider speaking with a therapist.
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Learn to be OK in your own company
Fill your time with hobbies that interest you and appreciate the pleasure that these things give you.
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Why you need friends
Friendship helps protect the brain and body from stress, anxiety and depression. Being around trusted others, in essence, signals safety and security,
Research suggests that you only need ...
Finding friends
Friendships are always about common passions. Whatever you’re into, someone else is too. Let your passion guide you toward people. Volunteer, for example, take a new course or join a committee at your local religious center. If you like yoga, start going to classes regularly.
Once you meet a potential future friend, invite them to do something. You have to put yourself out there.
It takes time
The process takes time, and you may experience false starts. Not everyone will want to put in the effort necessary to be a good friend.
Which is reason enough to nurture the friendships you already have–even those than span many miles. Start by scheduling a weekly phone call.
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A public health problem
Most people consider loneliness a personal problem to be figured out by individuals.
However, a paper published in the American Journal of Public Health identi...
Don’t blame social media
Among the theories on why there is more loneliness today is more time online and less time in front of people.
However, levels of in-person interactions, physical and mental wellness and life balance are more likely to predict loneliness than social media usage.
Young and lonely
Generation Z (ages 18-22) had the highest loneliness scores, followed by the millennials (ages 23-37). The Greatest Generation (adults ages 72 and older) were the least lonely.
Lonely people are less able to pick up on positive social stimuli, like others’ attention and commitment signals, so they withdraw prematurely – in many cases before they’re actually socially isolated.
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Key Ideas
Loneliness Is a State of Mind
Loneliness, according to many experts, is not necessarily about being alone. Instead, if you feel alone and isolated, then that is how loneliness plays into your state of mind....
Causes
- Loneliness is strongly connected to genetics.
- Situational variables, such as physical isolation, moving to a new location, divorce and the death of someone significant in a person's life can also lead to feelings of loneliness.
- Loneliness can be a symptom of a psychological disorder such as depression.
- Loneliness can also be attributed to internal factors such as low self-esteem.
Health Risks Associated With Loneliness
Loneliness has a wide range of negative effects on both physical and mental health, including:
- Depression and suicide
- Cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Increased stress levels
- Decreased memory and learning
- Antisocial behavior
- Poor decision-making
- Alcoholism and drug abuse
- The progression of Alzheimer's disease
- Altered brain function