Ask A Therapist: How To Cope With Loneliness

“What is Loneliness and how does it compare to solitude?

Loneliness isn’t really about a lack of people.

It’s the feeling of being alone due to a lack of feeling seen, heard, accepted, understood, or known.

Solitude is the experience of being in one’s own company — or the absence of others’ presence. Perhaps surprisingly, the experience of solitude doesn’t always lead to the feeling of loneliness

What are some ways to overcome feelings of loneliness?

Managing feelings of loneliness is different for every individual because we all experience loneliness for different reasons.

To help reduce loneliness, it’s beneficial to regularly be in places where you can practice being vulnerable. The great news is, this doesn’t have to be painful or difficult — the easiest way to start is by doing things you love with other people on a regular basis. This could be dancing, painting, or even video games. Just make sure there’s a chance to connect outside of the activity of choice and get to know one another. Over time, find some people you can trust to share your more painful, messy, or difficult experiences with.

Another way to cope with loneliness is to be of service to others. This could include volunteering your time to a cause you care about, such as a food shelter or a beach clean up.

Support groups are also a powerful way to feel less alone by bonding with others who may be going through similar trials as you.

When should you seek professional help for loneliness?

Most people make the mistake of waiting until the problem is really bad before seeking professional help. This is the emotional equivalent of going to the emergency room for a heart attack. What’s more effective for our health than going to the hospital in an emergency is to do regular check-ups and have preventative care. Seeing a therapist when things aren’t severe is an effective way to work on making desired changes. Therapy is great “preventative care” for the emotional well-being of your heart and mind."

✨Takeaway: Everybody experiences loneliness occasionally. Loneliness is a sad yet universal aspect of human life. Long-term isolation from others with little prospect of relief can negatively affect health. The majority of people make the error of waiting until the issue is quite serious before seeking professional assistance. But you can reach out for professional help at any time.

✨Reflection: How do you cope when you’re feeling lonely?

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